I didn't realize it but numbers placed on the Do Not Call registry in June 2003 will expire this year.  The list is only good for five years.  So starting in June, you will again become fodder for the telephone spammers.  So what to do?  Call 1-888-382-1222 or go to the web site at http://www.donotcall.gov/ and click on the "Verify a Registration" button and go from there.  You can register your cell phone as well as your home phone.    Rep. Mike Doyle, D-PA is working on a bill to make the registration permanent.  You wouldn't think it would be so hard to pass this bill that seems to make so much sense.  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... 02/20/2008

I posted some pictures of Robins a few days ago.  Some friends of thiers dropped by today.  Thought you might be interested.First the blackbirds.Then the Red Wing blackbirdsThen the geese.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 02/15/2008

Despite the national and local news media talk about the status of the Real Estate industry, things arelooking up in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portmouth, Norfolk Area of Virginia.In the year 2007, the price of Homes sold in Virginia Beach increased from 2006 by almost 6%. This near 6% increase in Virginia Beach is more reflective of the real estate market in the area (prior to the Real Estate Boom between 2002-2005) ie an increase in value yearly of 4%-7+%, consistently over time. The Virginia Beach Area Real Estate market has always been a very stable market with no real downturns and always a positive increase in Home Values! Residents of the Virginia Beach and surrounding area can go into this New Year of 2008 with a positive approach to our Virginia Beach Area real es... 02/15/2008

1. The kids have all graduated from college. You and your husband finally have time to yourselves...then they move back home!2. You have three spare rooms in a four bedroom house.3. You have to shuffle your cars each morning to leave for work.4. You spend more time driving to work than you do with your family.5. You spend more money each month for storage than you do for your mortgage.6. Your neighbor found a loophole in the homeowner's association rules and is raising donkeys.7. You keep hearing faint voices telling you to "get out" and they're getting louder.8. Grandpa Jed just struck oil while hunting in your back yard.9. The dog's house doubles as a guest room.10. You have to take a number to use the bathroom. Please contact me just in case you desire a FREE, NO OBLIGATION consultat... 02/15/2008

Fit Pregnancy looked at everything from doctors and hospitals to doulas, midwives, breastfeeding success rates, birth and health risk, stroller-friendly trails and parks, affordability, and a whole lot more, when looking at the best cities in America to have a baby. Our very own Virginia Beach came in at #8. Congratulations!If you are expecting and considering a move to Virginia Beach, you can learn about Virginia Beach by visiting our website, ButlerTeamHomes.com and start your home search here: 02/14/2008

I have a new Virginia Beach information sharing site!  Please visit:  http://www.squidoo.com/23451/TinaMerritt-knows-23451                                                Give your opinion on Jet Noise, share your favorite place to have lunch or post your upcoming area event all for free!Virginia Beach, Virginia - what a wonderful place to live!  Mild winters, breezy summers and much more to do than just go to the beach!  Virginia Beach is actually part of South Hampton Roads Virginia - which consists of the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth and Norfolk.  These cities are all unique and filled with a wealth of exciting things to do and see.  Once known as mostly a Navy town, the Hampton Roads area has reinvented itself as a destination for many walks of life outsi... 02/14/2008

I did. I purchased myfirst home in Virginia Beach with aVA Loan and a 12.5% interest rate. Guess what - I was young Navy guy happy to own my first Virginia Beach homenear the oceanfront. I was not rich by any means, but having my family in our own home meant something.Back in 1982, that was actually considered a good homemortgage rate compared to where it originated frommonths earlier. So when we look at realestate mortgage rates today, it is truly a great opportunity from the "old days". Below you will see a historical home mortgage graph showingjust how far we have come with regards to affordability. I lived during the misery index but was still able to purchase a home in Virginia Beach. When I refinanced my VA home loan at9% it was a day of celebration. That homemortgage ... 02/13/2008

State officials set aside 90 acres in hte Lynnhaven River for future oyster-restoration.  The only problem is there wasn't enough money coming from the federal government to make progress.  The Army Corps of Engineers will probably wait until next year to build some artificial reefs when they should have the money necessary.  The Lynnhaven River used to have the biggest and best oysters on the east coast until disease and pollution ravaged the oyster population.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 02/13/2008

A stalled town-home proposal off I 264 in Virginia Beach has been approved.  The problem is because of the location.  The six town-home complex is in the 65-70 decibel noise zone around Oceana.  There is some concern about drainage there also.  The city had hoped to maybe transfer some different land with Habitat for Humanity but that didn't happen.  The council is trying to limit growth in that area to comply with the navies wishes.  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 02/13/2008

Harbour Point is a unique complex of Condominums right on Rudee Inlet.  You won't find a better looking complex at the oceanfront. Built between 1984 and 1986 by the Dragas Companies, the complex has 12 buildings with 172 units. Most first- and second-floor units have 1,200 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths with fireplaces and wrap-around balconies. Third-floor condos have 1,300 square feet. The extra 100 square feet results in a loft in the master bedroom complete with skylights. Some units also have boat slips. All units in the 401 building overlook Rudee Inlet, have 1,145 square feet and have two bedrooms. These condos also have sliding glass doors off the master bedroom and living rooms leading to the balcony. Most people drive by and wish they could live there thinking the pr... 02/13/2008

Look whos getting into the FICO business.  The health industry is creating its own score to judge your ability to pay.It is called the "medFICO score", and is being designed with the help of credit industry giant Fair Isaac Corp..  This new score could debut as early as this summer in some hospitals.Healthcare Analytics, a Waltham, Mass., health technology firm, is developing the score. It is backed by funding from Fair Isaac, of Minneapolis; Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp.; and venture capital firm North Bridge Venture Partners, also based in Waltham. Between the two, they are spending in the range of $20 million for the project.Is the score going to be used to see if lower quality care is going to be given to some?  That seems to be a concern to from consumer advocacy groups.  The... 02/12/2008

I was eating lunch today when I heard a racket outside.  It sounded like a bunch of people gathered around yakking.  My back yard is kind of private (on the 5th tee of the golf course) so I looked to see what was going on.  Apparently I was in the middle of a mass migration of birds.  Most were some type of black bird but there were hundreds of robins.  My local birds were there as well and weren't going to be run off.  The blue bird wasn't intimidated by anyone.  What a sight. Seven here.Robins plus my Blue JayRedwing BlackbirdLots of Blackbirds.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... 02/12/2008

Virginia Beach is poised to have a training facility and clinic backed by some major league ballplayers (B. J. Upton, Justin Upton, Tim Hummel and Michael Cuddyer) soon.  City Council is set to sell 10 acres off Landstown Rd to 7 Cities Development Company.  The company wants to open a clinic where baseball players with dreams of playing professionally can hone their skills.  It will be mostly a conditioning or agility facility and should draw young athletes from across the country.  If all goes well the facility should be open by years end. 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... 02/09/2008

A long standing fixture on Laskin Rd is no more.  For more than 20 years the theatres, Surf-N-Sand, beckoned movie goers at the Ocean Front.  Apparently there weren't enough of them or perhaps the 20 year seats didn't hold enough nostalgia for most of us.  I don't live at the beach but my office is on the way so I drove past the place twice a day.  Most times there weren't any cars in the lot.  I think a free standing venue is a tough way to go.  Most cine-plexes are in malls or located in a large strip mall.  Hopefully the workers will not have a hard time finding new jobs. 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 ... 02/09/2008

In today’s buyers market, the seller needs to take advantage of every possible step to both speed the sale of their house and ensure they get the best offer they can. A pre-listing inspection by the seller helps with both of these.  In the past, a pre-listing inspection was more of a speed bump than a help to the seller. Buyers were coming out of the wood work and houses were selling as soon as they went on the market. But today, the buyers can, and are, more cautious because they know they have the advantage now. They are demanding more and more concessions from the seller. So why do you want to offer a potential buyer more ammunition to use against you? Why wait until the seller has a home inspection to discover areas that need attention.  A survey by homegain.com shows that most buye... 02/09/2008

This posting is a little update on the population base (and some other odds and ends) in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth and all surrounding areas of Va ; Area is sometimes called Tidewater, sometimes called S Hampton Roads, and sometimes called Norfolk/Virginia Beach area.Whatever you want to call this area, it sure is a really nice place to live and work...and retire. It has it all---the Beaches, Cultural Events, Sports, Eclectic Restaurants, Historical areas, traditional family neighborhoods, offbeat areas, and of course, the wonderfully, diverse, friendly, pleasant people of this area. Because of the influence of the many Military Bases in the area and tourism, our economy stays on an even keel much more then most parts of the country.To learn more about thi... 02/08/2008

The department of Homeland Security recently granted the area money to set up a system for public safety responders to talk to one another.  I would have thought the region had that a long time ago but I was wrong.  The money, about $3.2 million to purchase radios, antenna sites and of course, training.  This system will also send data, so they can send maps and other needed data.  This is a great upgrade to the area and should be mandatory most everywhere else.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  02/06/2008

I have insulated, installed new windows and doors and still my home leaks energy.  I was in my bedroom the other day standing by an outdoor corner and my feet were cold.  I moved over two feet and they warmed up.  Somehow I have an air leak in that corner.  Its the same place they found termites so I wonder if they have something to do with it.  I am considering having an energy audit done on my home.  I know it will find places that need work.  My fireplace is shut up because its like an open window.  I am trying to reduce my carbon fottprint and am guessing an energy audit would help.  How many of you have had energy audits done on your own home or have suggested it for your clients?  http://www.geneallen.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk... 02/02/2008

Gov. Kaine has called for a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars.  Kaine was recently at the Hot Una Bar & Grill when he made the announcement.  The Hot Tuna is already a smoke-free restaurant.  There is sure to be lively debate on this subject seeing on how Virginia kind of grew up on tobacco.  Several cities including Virginia Beach have asked the legislature to let them ban smoking in restaurant and bars.  Stay tuned.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 02/01/2008

Who would have thought that a simple foot bridge over one street could cost $2.9 million.  For that cost, the city will be able to boast a brand new foot bridge from Pembroke Mall to Towne Center.  Keep in mind this will be a bridge with a grand visual impression.  It will also help pedestrians negotiate the ten lanes of traffic and for that it would probably be worth the cost.  One person has died already trying to get across to Towne Center.   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  01/30/2008