FEMA recommends you keep a "grab and go" bag with these items, available in the Red Cross' premade kit, in case you need to evacuate. Image: Red Cross Photograph Putting together a home emergency preparedness kit you hope never to use may seem like a waste of time and money. But when disasters happen that are beyond your control, you can take charge of how you respond. Items for an emergency preparedness kit Store all items in an easy-to-carry bag or suitcase that's readily accessible. Make sure everyone in the family knows where it is and what it contains. If you need to evacuate your home quickly, here are the essentials you'll need for a basic "grab and go" kit: Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation; double if you live in a very ho... 04/06/2011

FREE Home buying Classes for first time home buyers in Hampton Roads, VA!!!!!!!! Sat April 30th 9-3pm- LUNCH INCLUDED - Indian River Library Meeting Room 2320 Old Greenbrier Road Chesapeake, VA 23325 Come learn about the buying process from beginning to end. There will be a loan officer, a real estate agent, a home inspector, and a title agent, on hand to give you valuable information and answer your questions. If you are serious about buying a home in 2011 then this class is designed for you. Find out how to get preapproved to buy, how to make an offer, and what to expect in the closing process. A pizza lunch is included! Call, text, or email TODAY to RSVP, leave name and phone number. Must RSVP to Dee Dee Jones 757-831-8294 call, text, or email djoneshomes@gmail.com 04/06/2011

Why have planned communities become so popular in today's economy? Yes, people are building and buying new homes again in Virginia, and we're excited about what's going on in our four East West Communities in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Maybe the sales pace isn't what it was a few years ago, but that's okay. Builders have definitely stepped up and are taking great care of the customer, AND we're seeing outstanding new home values as a result. One of the drawbacks of the building boom a few years ago was the fact that builders couldn't meet their closing deadlines and sometimes customer service fell behind the wayside. Our buyers are finding out that it is a great time to build after comparing their options with the other possibilities in the marketplace. There's a definite resur... 03/27/2011

Quality. Commitment. Pride."We're Accustomed to Giving You What You Want" That's Sasser Construction's mission statement. Sasser Construction has been building superior homes in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia since 1986. As a Preferred Builder in the East West Communitiesin Virginia, I wanted to highlight some of their core principles and share their company philosophy. They have consistently been one of the top custom homebuilders in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, and their goals certainly align well with our communities' goals of developing quality neighborhoods with superior resort style amenities. Sasser believes their customers deserves a "Bill of Rights" (listed below) and they deliver on their promises, as reflected by their recent prestigious award from Southern Living.... 03/21/2011

Its Spring and it is time to think about kindergarten enrollment for Fall already.  Chesapeake Public Schools is in the process of considering implementing more all day kindergarten classes.  They would like residents to take an online survey.  You can find the survey on the Chesapeake Public Schools website or click here then scroll down to full day kindergarten survey.  Currently most Chesapeake elementary schools offer an AM or PM half day schedule option and just a few schools offer contracted out after school care.   Those of you who have ever raced to drop or pick up in the middle of the day know that there are times when 1/2 day kindergarten can be totally inconvenient.  If you feel you and your child would benefit from an all day program please take the survey and come to a scho... 03/10/2011

Yes!!!  Another message on BUYING NOW!!!   Personally, I am surprised so many buyers are on the sidelines...and I do mean BUYERS that need to BUY!! Did you know you may be among 300,000 people that graduated, got divorced, add a family member that are projected to be the "pent up market".   Economists have been stymied by the lack of recovery in the housing market with the pressures present from those noted above that have had a life change event and the general population growth that has occured since 2007(both immigration and births) coupled with the overall increased aging of the American population. So if great rates under 5% and bargain priced homes has kept you on the sidelines, perhaps new FHA regulations will inspire you.  In June, FHA mortgages initiated will have a higher mont... 03/03/2011

  Homearama returns to The Riverfront at Harbour View Tidewater Builders' Association has announced that The Riverfront at Harbour View in northern Suffolk, Virginia will host its Fall 2011 Homearama showcase of homes. The event, set for Oct. 15-30, will feature eight to 13 homes, with prices expected to start at $549,900 to $750,000.    The resort-style community, developed by East West Communities, last hosted Homearama in 2001, when it drew more than 110,000 visitors. "We feel extremely fortunate to work with East West Communities on another first-class event," said TBA President Bill Halprin. "Their communities are known for their beautiful landscaping and upscale curb appeal, as well as the resort lifestyle they offer. They created a beautiful setting for our first Spring Homearam... 03/02/2011

FREE Home buying Classes for first time home buyers in Hampton Roads, VA!!!!!!!! Sat March 5th 9-3pm- LUNCH INCLUDED - Greenbrier Library Conference Room 1214 Volvo Pkwy, Chesapeake, VA (behind fire station and across from Rite-Aid) Come learn about the buying process from beginning to end. There will be a loan officer, a real estate agent, a home inspector, and a title agent, on hand to give you valuable information and answer your questions. If you are serious about buying a home in 2011 then this class is designed for you. Find out how to get preapproved to buy, how to make an offer, and what to expect in the closing process. A pizza lunch is included! Call, text, or email TODAY to RSVP, leave name and phone number. Must RSVP to Dee Dee Jones 757-831-8294 call, text, or email djones... 02/28/2011

A Home continues to be your best investment!!!  And that doesn't count a home's"priceless" value as a place to raise your kids, share time with friends or just escape after a long day of work. Yet with all the news on home values and foreclosures, buyers and sellers alike have sat on the sidelines as they were uncertain if it made sense to buy a home.  in the past month, an AP article even stated that real estate may never be the value to Americans that it once was. Recently, Van Rose, a principle with Rose & Womble Realty, shared with the company a topic that I have brought up to buyers and sellers over the past couple of years.   The topic:  HOME VALUES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS CONTINUE TO OUTPACE HISTIORICAL RESULTS. In the graph below, the Blue line notes the actual appreciation exper... 02/21/2011

How does today's homebuyer select their new home? How do they decide what neighborhood is right for them? What floor plan fits your lifestyle? What neighborhood is BEST for their family? Is it really about finding the right price? Or is about finding the right home? How about BOTH! These are some of the questions facing prospective homebuyers today. There's much more at stake than finding a home based on price. In the big picture, shouldn't finding the place that's best for your family and where you'll be happy be in the mix? Since 1972, East West Partners have been developing quality neighborhoods for people to live and play. We've studied the trends of new homeowners and we've tried to adapt to the changes in the marketplace. The answers depend on several aspects and they vary from ne... 02/12/2011

Lowes RISMEDIA worth sharing! 4 Tips to Ensure a Smooth Real Estate Transaction  By Chip Poli RISMEDIA, January 31, 2011-As a real estate agent, it's important to be aware of the pitfalls of home financing in order to help your sales come together and stay together. Typically, during the sales process, you may be your client's first point of contact for any and all situations that arise. As such, if you are able to work in conjunction with a knowledgeable mortgage professional and help educate your client along the way, this extra knowledge may eliminate potential issues and bring you and your client to a successful close.Since there have been a number of industry regulation changes in the mortgage industry in the past few years, it's important to keep these tips in mind:1. You don't wa... 01/31/2011

Greater South Norfolk Business Consortium is on Chesapeake's Thinking Out Loud! Listen to Caroline Taylor and Allison Joyce talk about the GSNBC and the revitalization of the South Norfolk area.http://chesapeake.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=19Their piece is in the last 10 minutes of the video!South Norfolk is an area with a Bright Future! I'm proud to be a Realtor that promotes South Norfolk and part of the Greater South Norfolk Business Consortium.Find us on Facebook! The website for GSNBC website is coming soon!If your a business in SONO and would like to join, contact me!If your looking to buy or sell in SONO, contact me! 01/30/2011

It's January 1st, 2011 in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia... the air is a brisk 41 degrees, with snow on the ground and wispy white clouds racing across the sky in the frigid breeze.   More than 100 residents, young and old, gather at the community swimming pool with their suits on and towels in hand.   They screamed, they laughed, and they shivered on that New Year's Day, but nothing could keep the annual Polar Bear Plungers from taking that wild ride down the 100-foot slide into the bone-chilling 34-degree water. Why do the residents of The Riverfront and Founders Pointe strip off perfectly good winter clothes to take part in this crazy event year after year?  "It's perfectly insane," comments Pam Sweet, Club Manager and organizer of this event, "but it's a Tradition!  We have a ye... 01/21/2011

Prepared for the Millennials(Generation Y) Assault on Real Estate?? Perhaps you have heard of the Millennials(individuals born between '80 & '95).  Maybe you raised two or three of them!Yet 74 million strong, they rival their Baby Boomer parents/grandparents as the largest home-buying consumer "class" of all time.   If one of these 74 million Millennials is the buyer, how will they find your home?  I assure you it won't be in the paper!   But they are an inquistive bunch as they have found that they can "Google" anything and can "Facebook" to learn about anyone, so they will love to come to your open house.Many of the Millennials will be your 1st Time Home Buyer or look to move up to their second home(Very Mobile!).So be sure you have a Re... 01/19/2011

The latest in horror shows....The Short Sale!    If you were to read the press and speak to some real estate agents or buyers, you would hear exclamations of fear and trepidation. What is a Short Sale?    The sale of a home by a party that needs to move that owes more on the home than the present market(buyers) will pay for the home         Yet, no home purchase or home sale needs to be a "fearful" venture.  Though no two home purchases/sales will ever be the same, it is true that a Short Sale brings extra wrinkles to the process. The biggest wrinkle is that the Bank(s) holding the mortgage liens must approve the sale price and terms that the ready and able buyer and the ready and able seller agree upon.  A second wrinkle is the seller's lack of funds to do any repairs; home is sold "a... 01/19/2011

Great Words from Steve Harney!!          Whenever you are ready to seek a new home or sell a home, it is key that you have an expert on your side.   Would you go to a plumber to have a tooth pulled or a dentist to have heart surgery? You Need an EXPERT, Not Just an Agent You Need an EXPERT, Not Just an Agent 01/19/2011

Foreclosures                                 Foreclosures                                                                           Foreclosures   Seems like every news channel can only talk about foreclosures as if they are the bane of civilization. It is very unfortunate that individuals had a personal dilemma that caused their house to be foreclosed upon. There are truly some horrible stories of job loss, separation/divorces and investments gone bad that underly the bevy of foreclosures on the market. Yet to see the silver lining of the foreclosures present in the market does not make the buyer a "vulture".  Rather the foreclosures are a once-in-a-life opportunity for buyers to enter the housing market at the bottom with future equity growth all but guaranteed.  Foreclosures = Cash!!... 01/18/2011

Pines of Warrick, Chesapeake Virginia Pines of Warrick in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, Virginia is a lovely, tree-studded neighborhood with curving roads and friendly neighbors. Pines of Warrick is located off of Cedar Road and has long been a favorite location for people who want to stay within the Great Bridge school system. Homes within the Pines of Warrick subdivision vary between the quintessential "Great Bridge Special" (ranch home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) and more grand two story homes. Some of the homes within the neighborhood have in-ground swimming pools. Exteriors in Pines of Warrick are typically either brick or vinyl siding, and many have spacious front porches. Pines of Warrick does not have a Property Owner Association and no dues are required for home own... 01/17/2011

Las Gaviotas in Chesapeake, Virginia When many buyers contact me regarding their upcoming relocation to Chesapeake, Virginia, they often ask me about the neighborhood of Las Gaviotas. Las Gaviotas is a large subdivision located off of Cedar Road. Las Gaviotas is centrally located and is currently zoned for Grassfield High School, Great Bridge Middle School and Cedar Road Elementary School. Many people with school-aged children choose to purchase in Las Gaviotas for the school system alone. However, there is are many wonderful reasons to call Las Gaviotas home. The homes in Las Gaviotas have locations that vary from golf course lots to waterfront views. Homes also range from two story homes, to ranch homes, to attached townhomes. There is something for everyone in Las Gaviotas. The commu... 01/17/2011

I've been in the real estate business in Hampton Roads for over 6 years and have been in real estate for over 17 years. One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been helping military families relocate.     Let's face it: You don't have a choice about the move and you have unique needs and motivations. Through the years, in helping my military buyers and sellers, I've learned:   Moving into an area with a good public school system is a must. You move a lot through the years and you don't want your children to suffer those moves with a poor education. Security clearance is a necessary component of your career that can't be compromised with bad credit history.  If you are buying in this economic climate, it is essential your home be a good investment. You must make the purchase tha... 01/02/2011