If you haven't already, buy one of these critters and never be in the dark again.  It is a flashlight that runs on a 3 volt battery.  You usually put them in cameras.  These put out about 150 lumen which for the size is just crazy.  It is smaller then the the AA flashlights but puts them to shame.  There are several of them out there with different features.  Just Google CREE CR123A and you will get a bunch.  Look them over as there are ones with switches, ones that turn and so on.  Yes they are pricey but you will love the light. http://www.genesellsvirginiabeach.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 ho... 01/28/2008

The city council took steps to BRAC proof Oceana (Base Realignment and Closure Commission).  Will they work?  No one knows for sure but the city hopes the steps are enough to keep the city's largest employer around for a while longer.  The ordinances are designed to go further then what BRAC had recommended back in 2005.  Basically the city is taking the 65-70 decibel zone and dividing it into 3 sections.  The density of homes allowed gets lighter as it goes towards Chesapeake.  Some landowners feel the city is being unfair to them because they can't build with the same density as the what others can in the same zone.  The navy endorses the new ordinances.  http://www.genesellsvirginiabeach.com/  Come and see ALL the Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the ... 01/23/2008

I remember back when we had the gas crisis during the Carter Administration.  I remember sitting in the line at the gas station with my Dad hoping they still had gas when it was our turn.  I remember my parents talking to their friends about having gas stolen out of their gas tanks.  Lastly, I remember my father reciting off to my Mom the number of gallons and price per gallon and milegage used since the last fillup so they could calculate the gas mileage.Then, my Dad drove home the "Orange" one day.  It was a 1978 Honda Civic Hatchback in bright orange with black vinyl seats.  He traded in his beautiful, blue Chevelle convertible to drive the ugly orange Civic and save gas money!As I got older, I observed my Dad making a conscious effort to drive to work on a certain route to hit the l... 01/22/2008

What happens when the Commissioner of Revenue sends the Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) a tax bill for $14,000?  Well you say you are a part of the city and don't pay taxes.  That is what happened recently when the city bought the golf course and took over the running of the Virginia Beach National Golf Club (what was TPC).  When the course was bought, the VBDA said they would pay all customary operating costs.  Well, they decided they were part of the city and exempt from taxes and did not pay the bill.  After all they own title to the conference center at the Westin as well as other properties and don't pay taxes on those.  This was different because of the way the agreement was written.  Christianna Dougherty-Cunningham, an associate city attorney says the taxes are due. ... 01/21/2008

One of the many factors in being involved in the Real Estate Business as a full time professional REALTOR is finding individuals that are looking to purchase Real Estate in your geographical area of expertise. (In my case it's in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth and all surrounding areas of Virginia.)For several years I have been fortunate to provide my real estate expertise to a large number of individuals; some locally but many moving to the Virginia Beach Area in the Military or for a company transfer. Additionally, a surprising number of people have found this area a wonderful place to purchase a second home, a retirement home, or getaway on weekendsVirtually without exception, it has been my true pleasure to provide my professional real estate services a... 01/21/2008

When it comes to a business or career, there are two types of people. Those that just kind of fall into the business and those that decide to do it. Both ways can be successful and rewarding. I have completed and retired from my first career, the US Navy which I just kind of fell into. My dad was Navy, two brothers and one sister were in the Army, one brother in the Air Force and then the countless cousins, uncles and other family members that did their time in the military. Who was I to break tradition and do something different? But my second career was of my choosing and that is what I want to talk about today. It may seem simple, but it can be the most important and a common cause of failure of new businesses or careers, but you must decide you want to do it. I mean really decide. ... 01/19/2008

What's in a name?  Well Nimmo Parkway (pronounced nimmo as in rim not kneemo) was named for a geographic area of the beach.  That name also the name of a fine church in the area.  The land the church was built on was essentially given to the church by a family named, who else, Nimmo.  That was back in 1791 when Ann Nimmo sold the land to the church and the rest is history.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 01/12/2008

Come check out our home buying seminar tonight, or tell your freinds! I am excited, it is our first of many this year, and I hope to make this year a great success. We will be having several more this year and I will keep you posted as to when the next will be. 01/10/2008

I've blogged previously concerning so many Virginia Beach real estate sites, especially the national sites, that have partial and/or dated listings in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth and all surrounding areas of Va. How can you be sure that the site your visiting for Virginia Beach Real Estate or other key real estate phrases have complete, up to date information--ie complete Area MLS. When you go to www.google.com  and type in virginia beach real estate or chesapeake real estate, or suffok real estate, or virginia beach homes for sale, etc, etc ---all popular real estate phrases, just add updated daily!                                                ie virginia beach real estate updated daily! or whatever phrase you want to use, PLUS updated daily!Look for ... 01/07/2008

Seminar For Home Buying in 2008Gain knowledge about today's Local Real Estate Market for 2008 Home Buying!Great Education Opportunity:Seasoned BuyerFirst Time BuyerInvestorsSeller looking to upgradeSeller looking to downsizeSpeakers will include:RealtorLoan OfficerTitle/Settlement LawyerAccountantHome InspectorHome InsuranceNew Construction BuilderSEMINAR STARTS PROMPTLY AT 6PM: Thursday January 10th, Great Neck Area Library 1251 Bayne Drive VA Beach 23454COMPLIMENTARY REAL ESTATE AND FINANCE CONSULTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE  01/05/2008

Happy New Year 2008 to all!The local and national news media continue to get the status of Real Estate overall wrong..wrong..wrong! How frustrating it is to all of us in the real estate business and how concerning and confusing it is to potential real estate buyers and sellers.Our local newspaper had an article (front page; below the fold) a couple of days ago, regarding the condition of real estate in this part of Va ie Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk and Portsmouth and all other areas in the broader general area of Virginia. They used statistics, indicating a large inventory of homes for sale and the stagnent nature of Real Estate, finding people to quote who had nothing but "gloom and doom thoughts" about Real Estate in the area. (They say that you can prove anything by ... 01/03/2008

Virginia Beach is a city with a large land mass of 310 sq miles and a population of 435,000. For all these many years Virginia Beach has been growing and real estate has been healthy. With a nice tourist business (Beaches and close proximity to history ie Williamsburg) and an economy anchored by Military Bases, and a diverse population of good people, Virginia Beach has been a wonderful place to live.But, alass, with all this good news, Virginia Beach had no downtown. :-(  About 3 years ago a master plan was generated by a number of visionary citizens with a public/private partnership and now we have a downtown in Virginia Beach called Town Center of Virginia Beach. Town Center of Virginia Beach is a commercial development project located in the central business district in the Heart of... 12/18/2007

These Videos were shot for Mary Beth Horton of Nancy Chandler Associates. Your feedback is welcome. 12/17/2007

The street in front of the Municipal Center in Chesapeake, Va is named Shea Drive. All cities have some reason for the naming of the streets. It could be a nautical theme if the area is near some type of water; a name from old Europe, if the development was originally inhabited by people from a particular place in Europe; or the name of different birds, if certain type of birds are prevelent in the area; and dozens and dozens of other categories.Shea Drive in Chesapeake, Va was named after Lt Shea, a young 1951 graduate of West Point from Chesapeake, Virginia, who was a Company Commander in the Korean War in 1953. His troops came under heavy fire from the North Koreans; many wounded, including Lt Shea. He took out an enemy bunker and other heroic acts. He was killed during this battle a... 12/15/2007

The Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach is getting drilled.  Michael Worthington and some associates had came from England to drill holes in the basement timbers.  The city is taking over the house and wants to learn more about it.  So they called in some experts who think they can tell not only what year the lumber was built but in what season it was cut.  In case you didn't know, the science is called drochronology.  Lets hope the city gets the information they want from this timeless home.  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 12/15/2007

Norfolk's middle schools have no football program.  Who knew.  What feeds the area high schools?  The Mayor Paul Fraim wants to discuss the possibilities.  The council was taken by surprise but seemed warm to the idea.  As always in sports, funding is a problem and that is way there has not been any middle school football.  Lets hope the school board can come up with some money.    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 12/15/2007

You know how sometimes something just pops in your head and you want to share it. Just happened to me in the mist of thoughts on year end Virginia Beach real estate and how much more I need to do to complete my Holiday Shopping.Have you ever wondered how TV and Radio news people know how to pronounce leaders of Foreign Countries; especially nowadays. For the most part they seem to do a pretty good job---as far as I know?!What popped into my head-----Maureen Dowd, a Syndicated Columnist for the NY Times, is a knowledgeable,  well known and witty columnist, shared with her readers how Katie Couric remembered how to pronounce the President of Iran's name---Ahmadinejad; one of the more difficult names to pronounce; I'm a Dinner Jacket.Ahmadinejad---"I'm a Dinner Jacket"Somehow it seemed to ... 12/12/2007

For the first time in a while there were six School Board members at a joint meeting with City Council members.  The board members were sent letters last month urging them to attend the joint council meetings as well as their own meetings.  Apparently the mailings worked, at least for this month.  Let's hope the children's sake the members make a better effort to attend meetings. 12/11/2007

The council is looking at banning the feeding of wildlife.  There have been several rabid foxes found and the problem could get worse because of more real estate developement in rural areas..  The ban would not apply to bird feeders on private property.  Feeding wild animals causes them to come out of their natural habitat and get used to humans.  This in turn causes more biting by rabid animals as humans are more used to being around the animal and the animal the human. 12/11/2007

Wow can you believe it.  After many years of being shut down the Lynnhaven River is open to oyster harvesting.  The Lynnhaven River used to have the biggest and most succulent oysters for miles around.  Disease, sewage and development along the river shut it down decades ago.  Now some 1,500 acres are open again and producing some very good oysters.  Cam Chalmers is one of the farmers and is expecting to harvest the 2 to 3 million he is planting.  Lets hope he succeeds many times over. 12/11/2007