Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk

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Virginia Beach.. beaches: Sandbridge is my favorite beach.

                           Sandbridge looking at the VB Boardwalk

                                           Sandbridge is my favorite beach

We are very lucky to live in an area were we are surrounded by beaches.  I have visited several of them, but by far my favorite is Sandbridge.

Sandbridge  
is located in the southern part of Virginia Beach.  Between
the Virginia Beach oceanfront and Sandbrige you find two military bases.  US Navy Amphibious Base and Damn Neck Combat Training center. 

There are no hotels in this beach, but like most waterfronts you will find million dollar beach rentals.  There are a couple  stores, and this past beach day I saw  a new small restaurant.  I have been going to Sandbridge for the past 15 years. Baby at the beach. Vacant home in stilts It used to be a wonderful little beach with average houses, and I remember back then there was a lot for sale on the waterfront for $75,000. 

The water can get pretty rough; there was an occasion when I was holding my then 1 year old baby by the end of the water, when a wave came over and knock me down.  My daughter slipped off my hands. I almost lost my heart in the process too.   We used to go in front of some vacant houses, and there were no lifeguards close by, but after this incident I started sitting as close as I could to the lifeguards.

Beach Bath- Sandbridge beach- Virginia Beach VAThere are public bathrooms and showers.  You want to carry whatever you will need for the day with you, as there is the convenience store and the restaurant, but not much more.  As any tourist place every thing is overpriced. 

The route to go to Sandbridge is very colorful.  There are beautiful vistas, and a few fruit stands.  There are also a few restaurants and places where you can buy fresh seafood, and live crabs.   I grew up in the mountains, so eating fresh seafood happened very seldom in my life, before we moved to The Tidewater area or Hampton Roads.   One time I stopped to buy a bushel of crabs and asked the store owner what was less painful for the crabs: boiling them in water, or to freeze them.  His answer “ I don’t know, you would have to ask them your self.”  I know it was a dumb question, but he made me laugh with his answer, and the realization of my stupid question. 

Little Island park is at the end of Sandpiper Road.  There is public parking where you pay Little Island Park - sign - City of Virginia Beach VA$5.00 for the day.  Cold showers and bathrooms available.  Pavillions where  you can reserve for special occasions.  The sign mentions False Cape, a gorgeous park that I got to visit last year. ( Next in my series regarding parks)                

 

 

 

 

             Sandbridge island Beach Restaurant and Convinience store

 

                                                     Sanbridge Island Beach - waterview

 

                                                                              Sunrise at Sandbridge beach- VA Norfolk Virginia BeachPhotos   Courtesy of "Oak Moon Photography"

 

 

To buy or sell Real Estate in Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice 

 

 

6 commentsTere Rottink • June 27 2009 06:23AM

A Healthy Spine. Posture is important for your life -- Part Two

This is a continuation to my post on a healthy spine.  Earlier in the year, I could barely walk by the time that I made it to the chiropractor....Chiropractor Virginia Beach VA- Dr Michael Vanella

• When standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent. This position helps to take the pressure off your low back.

• Do not stand bent forward at the waist for prolonged periods of time. The muscles in your low back become deconditioned in this position, which may lead to pain.

Lifting

coin lifting• At all times, avoid twisting while lifting. Twisting is one of the most dangerous movements for your ---spine, especially while lifting.

• If the item is too heavy to lift, pushing it is easier on your back than pulling it. Whenever possible, use your legs, not your back or upper body, to push the item.

• If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you.

Sitting

• Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight.

• Avoid rolling your shoulders forward (slouching).

• Try to maintain the natural curve in your low back.

Reaching and Bending

• When reaching for something above shoulder level, stand on a stool. Straining to reach such objects may not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but it can also

bring on shoulder problems.

• Do NOT bend over at the waist to pick up items from the floor or a table.

• Instead, kneel down on one knee, as close as possible to the item you are lifting, with the other foot flat on the floor and pick the item up.

• Or bend at the knees, keep the item close to your body, and lift with your legs, not your back.

Carrying

• When carrying objects, particularly if they are heavy, keep them as close to your body as possible.                                           Family moving- Virginia Beach real estate moves

• Carrying two small objects—one in each hand—is often easier to handle than one large one.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

• While the proverbial jury is still out, we suspect that extra weight puts undue strain on your spine. Beer BellyKeep within 10 lbs. of your ideal weight for a healthier back.

• “Beer belly” is likely the worst culprit, as it puts unwanted pressure on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your low back.

• The most efficient and effective way to reduce weight is by eating a sensible diet and exercising regularly.

• Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, particularly if you have a health condition.

Sleeping

• Sleeping on your back puts approximately 50 pounds of pressure on your spine. Other positions may be better.

• Placing a pillow under your knees while lying on your back cuts the pressure on your spine roughly in half.

• Lying on your side with a pillow between your --------knees may also reduce the pressure on your back.

• Never sleep in a position that causes a portion of ----your spine to hurt. Most often, your body will tell you what position is best.

Quit Smoking

Smokers have more spine pain than nonsmokers, and they also heal more slowly when they have an episode of back pain because the chemicals in tobacco smoke restrict the flow of blood to the tissues in and around your spine. Quit smokingWhile following these instructions is no guarantee that you’ll be free from back pain for your entire life, it can certainly reduce your risk of developing it. These simple steps will help you keep your spine in good shape, making you a healthier, happier person.

 

 

 

 

o buy or sell Real Estate in Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at http://activerain.com/blogs/teresells4u

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8 commentsTere Rottink • June 22 2009 09:21PM

A healthy spine. Posture is important for your life -- Part One

A few months ago I pulled a muscle and by the time I made it to the chiropractor, I could barely support my self. By the time I left, I felt better and within a couple of days I had forgotten about the whole ordeal. Yesterday, while camping we were picking up heavy things, and I saw both my kids bending and picking up stuff without bending their knees. Several years ago I picked up a heavy box that way, and I was in continuous pain for the following two years. I wish I had known about chiropractors back then.
Posture in bussines is extremely important. We make our opinions of someone we just met during the first 7 seconds. Socially, it works the same. Whenever I am about to meet a new client or a new friend, I think of three things. Smile, stand up straight and talk with a clear
Chiropractor Virginia Beach VA- Dr Michael Vanellavoice.
So in honor of my friend Dr Michael Vanella the best chiropractor in Virginia Beach, I 
share some information he has shared with me.

Tips for a Healthy Spine

A healthy spine is an often overlooked and essential part of a healthy lifestyle. People who suffer from back pain, particularly if it is long-term, are generally less healthy than those who do not. In fact, back pain costs are staggering not only financially, but also in terms of lost time from work and because of psychosocial problems that arise during the healing process associated with long-term back pain.

Unfortunately, approximately 80-90% of the population suffers from spinal pain at some point. People who are overweight or obese, and who smoke, lift heavy objects, or had a previous episode of back pain, are more likely to experience

back pain.

Because so many people suffer from spine pain, it’s important for you to try to keep your spine as healthy as possible. Following simple posture, lifting, and healthy lifestyle guidelines can help you keep your back in good shape.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends that you take care of your self specially while performing the following activites.

Standing, Lifting, Sitting, Reaching and Bending, Carrying, Healthy diet an exercise, sleeping and smoking.

 

 

For detailed information regarding these activities please read Part Two.

 

 

 

 

3 commentsTere Rottink • June 22 2009 09:18PM

History of Hampton Roads: Chesapeake

                      City Hall - VA Chesapeake

                              Chesapeake Municipal Center Sign

Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. Hampton Roads weather is mild and it has a flurry of snow every couple of years.  There are many military bases with the  United States Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, NASA, Marines, and Army facilities call this area home.  There are also shipyards, coal piers, and hundreds of miles of waterfront property and beaches, all of which contribute to the diversity and stability of the region's economy.  It is comprised by the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Williamsburg.  Each city has it's own character.  As a history lover, I will attempt to gather information on each city.  Chesapeake is one in this series.

                                        American Indian and civil war era articles.  VA Chesapeake

"These articles are the the Chesapeake Central Library.  These articles were found in the area of Indian River.

History of Chesapeake and it's surroundings by Date after Christopher Columbus discovery of America

1606

On April 10 1606, two companies were authorized to be created by King James for the purpose of settlement of Virginia.  Virginia was defined as the land between the 34th and 45th degrees of North Latitude from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to Passamaquoddy By in Main. The Plymouth company would settle the northern region and the London Company, the southern region.

1607

On May 13, 1607 representative of the London company and their band of settlers began a settlement on the river they named James at a place they called Jamestown.

1618

On 11 November 1618, the number of settlements and settler in the regions along Chesapeake Bay and the James river having increase, the Council in London ordered that the colony be divide in to four "corporations" for the purpose of local administration with each to be a parish of the Church.  Sir George Yearldley was appointed governor of the county-parish system.  The corporation of Elizabeth City included the are that later became the counties of Elizabeth City, Warwick, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Nansemond, Norfolk and Princess Anne and the cities that were carved from them.

1634

Elizabeth city conuty was created from part of the corporation of Elizabeth City.

1636

The County of New Norfolk (area south of the James River and Hampton Roads) was partitioned from Elizabeth City County.

1637

The County of New Norfolk was subdivided into Upper Norfolk county (formerly Nansemond County, now the City of Suffolk)

1691

Lower Norfolk county was divided in to Norfolk County and Princess Anne County.

1705

Norfolk was established as a town and port.

1736

The Borough of Norfolk was established.

1752

Portsmouth became a town.

1775

American Patriots defetaed the British in the Battle of Great Bridge on December 9. This was the first land battle of the American Revolution fougth in the Colony of Virginia.

                                       Replica of Great Bridge at the time of the Battle of Great Bridge.

1805

The Dismal Swamp Canal opened, providing for water traffic between the Albemarle Sound and the port of Hampton Roads.

1845

The city of Norfolk was partitioned from Norfolk County.

1858

The City of Portmouth was partitioned from Norfolk County.

1881

The Elizabeth City & Norfolk Railroad was completed, connecting Norfolk and Edenton on a route that runs through the City of Chesapeake.  The name was later change to Norfolk Southern Railroad. Today, it is the chesapeaek & Albemarle Railroad.

1919

South Norfolk was partitioned from Norfolk County as a second-class city.

1953

South Norfolk became a first-class city.

1963

The remaining part of Norfolk County and the City of South Norfolk merged to become the City of Chesapeake.

=Information compiled by Elizabeth Bawn Hanbury.

 

To buy or sale real estate in the VA Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth or Suffolk, Virginia visit my website at  www.TereRottink.com

Read my blog at http://hamptonroadsrealestatevoice.com/

 

0 commentsTere Rottink • June 19 2009 11:28PM

Musings at the end of the school year.

Kids in school libraryAnother school year is finished.  I think about this time of the year and can look Burn man- quemar el ano viejo- burn last yearback at it the same way that we look at  the end of the year.  For year end we think of the things that we did or didn’t accomplished.  In some parts of Colombia, my home country, People burn a stuffed man as in a metaphor of burning old man last year to welcome the New Year.  

This school year my son finished Elementary School, moved from being a cub scout to a boy scout,Boy sout bridging- Chesapeake Park he is now taller than me, and now I am the shortest person in my family ( It doesn’t take much as I am pretty short. ) 

This past year my daughter wore make up for the first time, went to her 15 year old learning to drive.   VA Chesapeake- roadfirst danceRing Dance-Chesapeake Schools- Chesapeake living and decided to learn another language ( not Spanish, which she already takes at school but Korean.  She loves all things Korean.)  She has also picked up another instrument and almost got straight A’s.  She is also learning to drive.   I love hearing her practice her violin.   I just finished re-reading Harry Potter, and I couldn’t help but think of Valerie when they describe Hermione and how she always has to do the right thing. 

I have had my worst year financially since I started working, but once I decided to reinvent my business I have relaxed, as I know that things will change and all to soon I will be very busy.  In the mean time, I have decided to enjoy so many blessings that have come my way.  I have wonderful friends, wonderful loving relatives and an awesome husband.  My kids are such good kind kids that try so hard to do what is good and right that I couldn’t be prouder.  I have decided to go on a diet and shed the extra weight that I put on while I was so stressed with real estate. ( I will share my before and after pictures in a few months ) My wish for all you parents out there and those who will be parents one day, and those who have chosen not to be parents is that life is short and it is our choice to concentrate on what our life is missing or what we already have.  It is our choice to be happy or not. 

My father passed away a year ago this month, and the more time passes the more I wish I had visited him more often while he was alive.  Maria Teresa Morales Carreno, Camilo Morales Cancino, I am grateful for him having been a part of my life, and every morning before I put my feet on the floor I give thanks for it all.  Good and bad.

 

 

To buy or sale real estate in the VA Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth or Suffolk, Virginia visit my website at  www.TereRottink.com

Read my blog at http://hamptonroadsrealestatevoice.com/

 

4 commentsTere Rottink • June 19 2009 01:06PM

Stay and Play in Norfolk.

In Hampton Roads the closest we have to a large city feel of living is Norfolk.  Specifically the Ghent, West Ghent area and downtown Norfolk.  As a real estate agent, I have found that people who move to downtown Norfolk do not want to leave.  Hence, the price of living in these neighborhoods is rather higher.Stay and Play, Norfolk living

My friend Nicole, who lives in downtown Norfolk mentions in her Facebook page that she “is really loving the Wednesday nights "Stay & Plays"...especially when it's right next door :)

So I am really exited to share this Norfolk happening.

This is what Nicole has to say “Hey Tere, every Wednesday to help with ALL the construction, downtown has a "Stay and Play" at a different restaurant each week. It's to encourage people that work downtown to stay for a while and support that profiled restaurant before going home. Nice networking opportunity too!”

 

This past week’s featured restaurant was “456 Fish”

Wednesday, June 17th from 5-7pm “Guadalajara” located at 411 Granby Street.

Wednesday, June 24th  from 5-7pm “Entourage” @ 112 Bank Street.

 

I am not crazy for Mexican food (remember,  I am Colombian) but I have never been to Entourage, so  I will be there on the 24th.  See you there?

 

To buy or sale real estate in the Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth or Suffolk, Virginia visit my website at  www.TereRottink.com

Read my blog at http://hamptonroadsrealestatevoice.com/

 

1 commentTere Rottink • June 12 2009 12:09PM

ALL REAL ESTATE PEOPLE--Government is trying to kill owner financing! HELP!

Owner financing used to be a staple of real estate investors.  Owner financing has become another option for people who bought at the top of the market, and for first time home buyers who don't have the perfect credit required to buy a home these days.  Please read in its entirety and call or write your Senators.

Via Security Trust Mortgage, Inc.:

This just sent to my mortgage office. It will harm consumers, mortgage brokers and many real estate broker. We need to STOP THIS GOVERNMENT NONSENSE! Pass this on to every person / organization .

 

Marvin, H.R. 1728 has recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and has been sent to the Senate for a vote. It says you won't be able to sell residential real estate using owner financing more than once every three years unless you have a government license.

Please take a few moments to read this e-mail and then contact your two U.S. Senators. Sample letters are at the end. If you need your senators' contact information, go here:
http://snipurl.com/senatorscontactinfo

Thank you for helping to stop this horrible bill.

 

Senate Bill Restricts Seller Financing --
Take Action Now To Stop It

Clint Hinman, editor of NoteWorthy Newsletter, has done a great
job of explaining H.R. 1728:

HR 1728 - WHAT IT SAYS AND WHY IT WILL HURT CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS
The U.S. Senate will soon be considering a bill that will severely
restrict the property rights of millions of Americans and the way
you do business going forward.

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

HR 1728 was recently passed by the House of Representatives with
little fanfare and even less press coverage. Not until it was
referred to the Senate did it grow legs and start getting the
attention of everyone it will affect. The full text and status of the bill can
be read here: http://snipurl.com/hr1728

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

The proposed legislation focuses upon the predatory lending practices
of yesteryear and the resulting subprime debacle, imposing stringent
requirements on mortgage brokers, servicers, appraisers, etc.
Unfortunately, owner financing gets caught up in the dragnet, and the
impact could be devastating. The offending text of the bill is in
section 101(3)(e), which defines who is exempt from being a
'licensed mortgage originator':

'(E) does not include, with respect to a residential mortgage loan,
a person, estate, or trust that provides mortgage financing for the
sale of 1 property in any 36-month period, provided that such loan--
(i) is fully amortizing;
(ii) is with respect to a sale for which the seller determines in
good faith and documents that the buyer has a reasonable ability to
repay the loan;
(iii) has a fixed rate or an adjustable rate that is adjustable after
5 or more years, subject to reasonable annual and lifetime
limitations on interest rate increases; and
(iv) meets any other criteria the Federal banking agencies may
prescribe.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

As long as you provide owner financing on the sale of your property
no more than one time every three years, you will not be in violation
of the statute. Any individual who does sell more than one property
every three years via owner financing will be in violation unless
they are a 'licensed mortgage originator'. State laws vary, but
typically a 'licensed mortgage originator' must have a $25,000 to
$50,000 surety bond, three years mortgage origination experience, a
physical business office in the state in which the property is
located, and continuing education requirements. In other words, very
few, if any, Mom & Pop sellers will ever jump through the hoops to
become a 'licensed mortgage originator'.

WHAT KINDS OF TRANSACTIONS WILL BE COVERED?

Selling your own home using a land contract or owner-held mortgage
with the intent of getting a faster sale, a higher sales price, or
higher rate of interest than is available in other investments will
no longer be an option (unless that sale is limited to once every
three years). Carrying back second mortgages on investment
properties you sell will also be a violation of the law. In fact,
any kind of installment sale on residential properties (including
houses, condos, mobile homes, and residential land lots more than
once every three years will be subject to this legislation.

The original bill presented to the House didn't make any exceptions
to owner financing. The National Association of Realtors argued to
include the exception of one owner financed property every three
years. Without addressing owner financing, many in the House
contended owner financing would become the 'loophole' for
predatory lenders to continue their exploitative ways.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Owner financed notes are not loans. There is no transfer of money,
no points or closing costs, and no mortgage brokers involved. They
are not created with the intent of selling them off to
government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or FHA.
They are INSTALLMENT SALES. The borrower receives no money that must
be repaid, only a property on which periodic (read: installment)
payments must be made.

Just as egregious is the loss of private property rights. The
government should have no power to legislate how property owners
dispense of their properties. If a property owner is willing to
finance the sale of a property to a buyer, whom is the government
trying to protect by making the transaction illegal? States already
have usury laws and servicing requirements that protect the
purchasers.

If passed by the Senate, this legislation will:

1. Severely limit the number of property owners who can legally
owner finance the sale of their properties.

2. Make violators out of everyday Americans who, unaware they
are breaking the law, are merely trying to sell their properties
and/or offering financing to prospective homeowners who cannot obtain
conventional financing.

3. Require obscene amounts of due diligence on the part of note
investors to make sure all facets of this legislation have been
complied with.

4. Give prospective homeowners even fewer options to realize the
American Dream of homeownership.

5. Cost the U.S. taxpayers over $400 million dollars to enforce.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Contact your senator via phone, fax, e-mail or snail mail. Implore
them to vote NO on the bill as it's currently written. You can get
your senator's contact information here. We have included some
sample letters assembled by Vena Cox-Jones that will assist you in
knowing what to say and how to say it. Additionally, we at
NoteWorthy have written a fourth letter for owner financed note
brokers.

Please keep in mind that our best plan of action is to address how
this legislation will hurt 'the little guy', i.e. buyers and
sellers of properties. Even though we all consider ourselves 'the
little guy', the government has made it clear that anyone
associated with mortgages is 'the bad guy', and has little
interest in how this bill may affect your business, your family, or
your livelihood. Be civil, cordial, and intelligent in your
communications with your senators' offices. Remember you can catch
more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Take action today or suffer the consequences of this legislation
tomorrow. ASK YOUR SENATORS TO VOTE NO ON HR 1728!!!

SAMPLE LETTERS

IF YOU ARE A NOTE BROKER
Dear Senator [name];

My name is Clint Hinman and I have been a resident of Washington
since 1993.

I am writing to encourage you to vote NO on HR 1728, the "Mortgage
Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act".

While many of the provisions of the act are positive steps toward
mortgage reform, the inclusion of private property owners in the Act
(see section 101(3)(e)) will enormously reduce the housing choices of
Washingtonians and the ability of homeowners to sell properties in a
market already languishing from an abundance of unsold properties.

As someone who buys and brokers owner financed notes, I encounter
hundreds of instances every year where home sellers and buyers came
to an agreement for an installment sale on a property that the owner
desperately needed to sell (often to avoid foreclosure) and the buyer
desperately wanted to buy, but could not raise the down payment
needed for conventional financing.

In every situation, these sales were win-win deals for the buyer and
seller: The seller was able to get rid of an unwanted property to a
buyer who loved it, and the buyer was able to get a new home at an
affordable payment and interest rate with none of the usual costs
(points, application fees etc) inherent in conventional mortgage
transactions.

In Washington, these transactions are already regulated by state law.
A low maximum interest rate is already in place, and both the buyer
and seller are protected by other regulations at the state level.

In defense of private property rights, owners should be exempted from
the burdensome and unnecessary rules that this law foists upon them.
In its current form, it would all but shut off the "owner financing"
market, which is often the only option for many sellers to sell and
buyers to buy right now.

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS RESTRICTION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PASS THE SENATE. It is unnecessary to stop private buyers and sellers from
transacting business that is beneficial to both of them -- they do
not cause the problems this bill seeks to solve. They do not originate
these notes to sell to government-sponsored entities (Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac, FHA, etc.), but instead hold them as investments, often
as a source of long-term income. HR 1728 would be extremely harmful
to thousands of your constituents if passed as currently worded.

This legislation will exacerbate the problem OF foreclosure, as fewer
sellers will be able to sell their homes to avoid it, and CAUSED BY
foreclosure, as fewer buyers who have recently experienced
foreclosure will be able to re-start the process of home ownership
inexpensively and easily by negotiating owner financing.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Clint Hinman
Proficient Note Buyers LLC
Phone #
email

IF YOU HAVE A REAL ESTATE LICENSE
Dear Senator [name];

My name is Vena Jones-Cox and I am a life-long resident of
Cincinnati.

I am writing you to encourage you to vote NO on HR 1728, the
"Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act".

While many of the provisions of the act are positive steps toward
mortgage reform, the inclusion of private owners in the act (see
section 101(3)(e)) will enormously reduce the housing choice of
Ohioans and the ability of home owners to sell properties in this
already-slow market.

As a real estate broker, I have seen several dozen cases in the past
year of home sellers and buyers coming to an agreement for an
installment sale on a property that the owner desperately needed to
sell (often to avoid foreclosure) and the buyer desperately wanted
to buy, but could not raise the downpayment needed for conventional
financing.

In all cases, these sales turned out to be win-win deals for the
buyer and seller; the seller was able to get rid of an unwanted
property to a buyer who loved it, and the buyer was able to get his
new home at an affordable payment and interest rates with none of the
usual costs (points, application fees etc) inherent in more
conventional mortgage transactions.

In Ohio, these transactions are already regulated by state law: a low
maximum interest rate is already in place, and both the buyer and
seller are protected by other regulations at the state level.

In defense of private property rights, owners should be exempted from
the burdensome and unnecessary rules that this law foists upon them.
In its current form, it would all but shut off the "owner financing"
market that is the only way that many sellers can sell and many
buyers can buy right now.

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS RESTRICTION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PASS THE SENATE. It is unnecessary to stop private buyers and sellers from
transacting business that is beneficial to both of them--they are not
the problem that the bill seeks to solve. HR 1728 would be extremely
harmful to thousands of your constituents.

It will exacerbate the problem OF foreclosure, as fewer sellers will
be able to sell their homes to avoid it, and CAUSED BY foreclosure,
as fewer buyers who have recently experienced foreclosure will be
able to re-start the process of home ownership inexpensively and
easily by negotiating owner financing.

Thank you for your consideration;

Vena Jones-Cox
Licensed Real Estate Broker license #
Phone #
email

IF YOU SELL HOUSES WITH OWNER FINANCING
Dear Senator [name];

My name is Vena Jones-Cox and I am a life-long resident of
Cincinnati.

I am writing you to encourage you to vote NO on HR 1728, the
"Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act".

While many of the provisions of the act are positive steps toward
mortgage reform, the inclusion of private owners in the act (see
section 101(3)(e)) will enormously reduce the housing choice of
Ohioans and the ability of homeowners to sell properties in this
already-slow market.

As a professional housing provider, I sell several houses each year
to home buyers on installment sale [or, if you have not purchased a
property, add here: "I had planned to sell several houses this year
on installment sale]--a practice that would become impossible under
this law in its current form. I find that in today's slow market, the best way for me to help buyers who desperately want to become homeowners, but who cannot raise the down payment or meet the other terms needed for
conventional financing, is to allow them to make payments directly to
me.

These sales are win-win deals for both the buyer and myself; I am
able to turn over homes that I've bought and rehabbed (often from
foreclosures) to buyers who love and can afford them, and the buyer
can get his new home at an affordable payment and interest rates with
none of the usual costs (points, application fees etc) inherent in
more conventional mortgage transactions.

In Ohio, these transactions are already regulated by state law: a low
maximum interest rate is already in place, and both the buyer and
seller are protected by other regulations at the state level.

Without the ability to sell homes in this way, I will no longer be
able to invest in and renovate any of the tens of thousands of
vacant, ugly houses placed on the market by the foreclosure crisis,
and my small-but-beneficial business will literally be in ruins.
Perhaps more importantly, the homeowner-buyers that I serve will be
forced to rent rather than moving toward the American dream of home
ownership.

In defense of private property rights, owners should be exempted from
the burdensome and unnecessary rules that this law foists upon them.
In its current form, it would all but shut off the "owner financing"
market that is the only way that many sellers can sell and many
buyers can buy right now.

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS RESTRICTION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PASS THE SENATE. It is unnecessary to stop private buyers and sellers from
transacting business that is beneficial to both of them--they are not
the problem that the bill seeks to solve. HR 1728 would be extremely
harmful to thousands of your constituents.

It will exacerbate the problem OF foreclosure, as fewer sellers will
be able to sell their homes to avoid it, and CAUSED BY foreclosure,
as fewer buyers who have recently experienced foreclosure will be
able to re-start the process of home ownership inexpensively and
easily by negotiating owner financing.

Thank you for your consideration;

Vena Jones-Cox
Perfect Properties, inc.
Phone number
email

IF YOU BUY HOUSES WITH OWNER FINANCING
Dear Senator [name];

My name is Vena Jones-Cox and I am a life-long resident of
Cincinnati.

I am writing you to encourage you to vote NO on HR 1728, the
"Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act".

While many of the provisions of the act are positive steps toward
mortgage reform, the inclusion of private owners in the act (see
section 101(3)(e)) will enormously reduce the housing choice of
Ohioans and the ability of homeowners to sell properties in this
already-slow market.

In the past year, I have purchased and renovated several homes--made
possible only because the sellers of these homes were able to sell to
me using owner financing in an unrestricted way.

For many of these property owners, seller financing was the only way
to unburden themselves of an unwanted property that, in some cases,
was headed toward foreclosure before I purchased it.

Without this ability, I cannot continue to buy and renovate
properties in the neighborhoods that so need my colleagues and me to
invest our time, energy, and money in rehabbing properties. Bank
financing is not an option for these properties because of the
condition; only financing carried by the sellers will suffice.

Section 101(3)(e) would keep my sellers from utilizing this method of
getting rid of unwanted properties in today's market, should they
have more than 1 to sell.

In defense of private property rights, owners should be exempted from
the burdensome and unnecessary rules that this law foists upon them.
In its current form, it would all but shut off the "owner financing"
market that is the only way that many sellers can sell and many
buyers can buy right now.

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS RESTRICTION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PASS THE SENATE. It is unnecessary to stop private buyers and sellers from
transacting business that is beneficial to both of them--they are not
the problem that the bill seeks to solve. HR 1728 would be extremely
harmful to thousands of your constituents.

It will exacerbate the problem OF foreclosure, as fewer sellers will
be able to sell their homes to avoid it, and CAUSED BY foreclosure,
as fewer buyers who have recently experienced foreclosure will be
able to re-start the process of home ownership inexpensively and
easily by negotiating owner financing.

Thank you for your consideration;

Vena Jones-Cox
Perfect Properties, inc.
Phone number
email

3 commentsTere Rottink • June 11 2009 03:47PM

Latin Fest in Virginia Beach

 

 

Latin  Festival

Latin Fest in Virginia Beach is a celebration for every one.  The festival is modeled after Miami's "Calle Ocho" celebration. You will get to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of music, food, beverages and good times. Domino table section, live music with local, regional and national performers.  (I am really exited about the Domino section)

You will get to listen to salsa, merengue, mambo and bachata music from some of the best local and national acts.  Of course there will be arts, crafts and foods from various Latin countries.

Event Date: 
June 5, 2009 (All day) - June 6, 2009 (All day)
Location: 
24th Street Park

Locos Por Juana, one of the hottest Latin alternative rock bands in the United States, takes the stage on Locos por JuanaFriday, June 5, from 9:30pm-11:00pm.  This multinational Miami-based band combines infectious energy with Latin rhythms from the Caribbean and South America, as well as reggae, hip hop, and American funk.  In December of 2008, Locos Por Juana was nominated for “Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album” for their album titled La Verdad.

La Excelencia Orchestra, playing Saturday, June 6, from 9:45pm-11:00pm, delivers high-octane rhythms while maintaining the essence and true roots of Salsa.  This New York La excelenciaCity-based group showcases beautiful harmonies and powerful arrangements of free-flowing horns and lively percussions.

Additional activities include the Zumba Dance Competition, in which individuals and couples compete in a variety of Latin dance styles, and the Domino Competition on the Boardwalk.  Both events take place on Saturday, and are open to public participation.

Saturday night’s Salsa Cruise on The Virginia’s Jewel yacht is a highlight of the weekend. A ticketed event, the cruise features live entertainment, food, and an open bar.

For full information on the Hardee's Latin Fest

To buy or sale real estate in the Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beacha, Portsmouth or Suffolk, Virginia visit my website at  www.TereRottink.com



3 commentsTere Rottink • June 03 2009 02:59PM

I am Latin and American. "We did something wrong" Speech by Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica

I have been asked by several people to translate this blog I did. "Soy Latina y Americana" It truly was meant for a Hispanic audience, so you may get it or not.

Gringos in Colombian lingo means people born in the United States of America.  It is not an insult, as it may be in other Latin american countries.

"I talk very little about my personal opinions in this public forum, but when I read this speech I felt I had to share it.

I love Colombia and the United States of America.

Pretty often, friends and relatives criticize the United Estates because they did this or that.  Because I am Colombian people assume that these words do not affect me.  What I want the public to know is that they DO affect me, as I have  lived in the United States more than half my life.  My children are gringos, so every time that people insult the gringos or treat them like idiots, they are insulting my children and my husband of 18 years.  Each time that people say that American women are "easy" they are talking about my daughter, who at her 16 years old has never had a boyfriend, has been to one party ( ring dance ) has never tasted alcohol, her grades are 90% and up, she is dedicated to her violin, volunteers in causes that affect the underprivileged, plus every one that knows her tells me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful daughter.  Yes, I am very lucky.

I also hear all the time that "gringos have no sense of humor, (I have to admit that I have also heard gringos say the same thing about Hispanics) that families are not united" What I would like to know is, if you live in the USA, do you live in the Hispanic or the American culture.  It took me two years to understand American jokes, and now when I hear Hispanic jokes I don't get them because I haven't lived in the Latin culture for over 20 years.  How often have you shared a family environment with Americans, or are you making comments regarding what you imagine is their lives.  I don't know a closer family than my husband's where I know of one divorce in a family of 10 brothers and sisters and about 150 descendants.

PS:  Excuse the grammar as I have lived out of the latin culture for over 20 years.


(Full translation of speech by Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica, at the Summit of the Americas meeting in Trinidad & Tobago on April 18, 2009) By

La Prensa (Managua, Nicaragua) 5/7/09

Oscar AriasWe did something wrong

“I have the impression that every time Caribbean and Latin American countries get together with the president of the United States of America it is to ask for things or to demand something.  Almost always it’s to blame the United States for our past, present and future ills. I don’t believe that is at all just. We cannot forget that Latin America had universities before the United States created Harvard and William & Mary, which are the first universities of that country. We cannot forget that in this continent, as in the whole world, at least until 1750 all Americans were more or less the same: all were poor.

When the industrial revolution came about in England, other countries hopped on that wagon: Germany, France, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand…… and thus the Industrial Revolution passed over Latin America like a comet, and we didn’t realize it. Certainly, we lost the opportunity.

There’s also a very big difference. Reading the history of Latin America, compared with the history of the United States, one realizes that Latin America did not have a Spaniard John Winthrop, nor a Portuguese who might have come with a bible in hand, ready to build “a City on a Hill”, a city that would shine, as was the wish of the pilgrims who arrived in the United States.

Fifty years ago, Mexico was richer than Portugal. In 1950, a country such as Brazil had a higher per capita income than that of South Korea. Sixty years ago, Honduras had more riches per capita than Singapore, and today Singapore – in something like 35 or 40 years – is a country with $40,000 annual income per person. Well, we Latin Americans did something wrong.

What did we do wrong? I cannot list all the things we did wrong. To start, we have a seven-year schooling. That is the average length of schooling in Latin America and it’s not the case with the majority of Asian countries. It’s certainly not the case in countries such as the United States and Canada, with the best education in the world, similar to the Europeans’. For every 10 students who enter high school in Latin America, in some countries only one finishes. There are countries with an infant mortality of 50 children per thousand, when in the more advanced countries it is 8, 9 or 10. We have countries where the tax load is 12 percent of the gross national product, and it’s no one’s responsibility, except our own, that we don’t tax the richest people of our countries. No one is to blame for that, except we ourselves.

In 1950 each American citizen was four times richer than a Latin American citizen. Today, an American citizen is 10, 15 or 20 times richer than a Latin American. That is not the fault of the United States, it’s our fault.

The value system of the 20th century, which seems to be the one we are putting into practice in the 21st century, is a wrong value system. Because it cannot be that the rich world devotes 100 billion dollars to alleviate the poverty of 80 percent of the world’s population – in a planet that has 2.5 billion human beings with a $2 a day income – and that it spends 13 times more ($1,300,000,000,000) in weapons and soldiers.

It’s incredible that Latin America spends $50 billion in weapons and soldiers. I ask myself: who is our enemy? Our enemy, of that inequality which President Correa (of Ecuador) points out very correctly, is the lack of education; it is illiteracy; it’s that we don’t spend on the health of our people; that we don’t create the necessary infrastructure, the roads, the highways, the ports, the airports; it’s that we are not dedicating the necessary resources to stop the deterioration of the environment; it’s the lack of equality which we have, which really makes us ashamed; it is a product, among many things, of course, of the fact that we are not educating our sons and our daughters.

One goes to a Latin American university and it still seems we are in the sixties, seventies or eighties. It seems we forgot that something very important happened on November 9, 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, and that the world changed. We have to accept that this is a different world, and about this I honestly believe that all thinking persons, all the economists, all the historians, almost agree that the 21st century is the century of the Asians, not of the Latin Americans.  And I, unfortunately, agree with them.  Because while we keep arguing about the “isms” (which is better? capitalism, socialism, communism, liberalism, neo-liberalism, social-christianism…) the Asians found a very realistic “ism” for the 21st and for the end of the 20th century, which is pragmatism. Just to mention an example, let us remember that when Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore and South Korea, after having realized that his own neighbors were quickly becoming richer, he returned to Peking and told the old comrades who had accompanied him on the Long March: “Well, the truth is, dear comrades, that I don’t care whether the cat is black or white, the only thing that matters to me is that it catch mice”.  And if Mao would have been alive he would have died again when he said that “the truth is that becoming rich is glorious”.  And while the Chinese do this, and from 79 until today they grow at some 11, 12 or 13 percent, and they have taken some 300 million out of poverty, we keep on arguing about ideologies which we should have buried a long time ago.

The good news is that Deng Xiaoping achieved this when he was 74 years old. Looking around, I don’t see (among the presidents who participated in the Summit) anyone who is close to 74 years of age.  That’s why I ask you not to reach that age in order to make the changes which we have to make.”

 

 

I am Latin and American. "We did something wrong" Speech by Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica  

by Tere Rottink is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

 

2 commentsTere Rottink • June 03 2009 11:35AM

BNI: A weekly networking event. The Tidewater Entrepreneur: A monthly bussines networking event

BNIBNI: The Strategic Allicance chapter, a weekly networking event has been great for my bussines.  In fact las year it accounted for more than 30 % of my income.  I started the Strategic alliance group almost three years ago,  and I still love the energy that I pick up when I leave the meeting.

But today I want to talk about another networking event that I started right around the same time three years ago. THE TIDEWATER ENTREPRENEUR:  We meet once a month and every month we get new people come through.  We have some regular members, whom I appreciate very much.  In this meetings I set up a speaker to come and talk on business related subjects.

Bussines meeting Colombian restaurant "El Desorden"In the past year we have had the following speakers:

-Francisco Sossa speak about print and direct Marketing,

-Mickey Boyer partner of HR Sandler Training office who talked about making the first 5 minutes count and creating the 30 second commercial.

-Sandy Crocker a "Certified Life success Consultant" who spoke about goal setting and achieving them

-Ashley Lewis who talked about business strategies in a difficult market.

-Dr Michael Vanella of Vanella Chiropractic, who spoke on the posture of sales.  Image is everything in business

-Patti Robertson, Why Join a Franchise Vs. Doing It on your Own?

-Martin Crenshaw was our last speaker, and he was so awesome that he came back for an encore.

 

As you can see, I try to get as many different speakers as possible.  Devie Robertson is the Assistan Organizer.  He is CEO of  Robertson Global, Executive Travel Specialists.  Some times he arranges the meetings, and takes over the running of things.

These meetings are very informal and we meet at "El Desorden" the Colombian restaurant I have mentioned in the past.  We are served breakfast for $7.00 plus tip.  The breakfast is different than most people are accustomed to, but every one loves it.Virginia Beach The Tidewater Entrepreneur

Last month we had about 18 people come to the meeting and I promised them that I would link my blog to their websites. Unfortunately, not all of them have websites, so this month Naoma Doriguzzi will be talking to us about Social networking and the importance of having a presence on the Internet.

Please check out the following businesses.  You will be surprised of how different our businesses are, so we have very interesting meetings.  Every month as I said we have new people, so if you are in town and are not looking for a weekly commitment, but want to meet other business owners come and join us.

Stemcellincrease.com

http://best247mortgage.com/

Kangenwater.com

Tim Yeager, CPA

Kathy Arnaud, Certified Massage therapist.

Robertson Global

Gerrie Beck with Home Staging and redesign

XDGraphics by Morris Bryant

 

We meet the second Saturday of the Month at 9:30 AM. 

El Desorden, located at:  665 Newtown Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462

 

Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, VA     www.TereRottink.com 

Email Tere Rottink      Subscribe to Tere's Blog

 


BNI: A weekly networking event.  The Tidewater Entrepreneur: A monthly business networking event.  By Tere Rottink is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

 

3 commentsTere Rottink • June 03 2009 08:43AM