Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk

Rain Camp Washington D.C.  Information overload... Almost!

Having read so many blogs about going to Rain Camps did not prepare me for so much information.  I have been blogging for over a year now, and I thought I knew a lot, but once again Activerain over delivered and under promised on their advertising. I also got to meet some of the people that I follow, admire and inspire what I do.  Lenn Harley, (congrats on your AR million points!) Cindy Jones, Patt Kennedy, Bob Stewart, Brad Anderson...


These are a "few" of the things I remember,   I learned so much more that I will have to go back and read my notes.
 - Ben Kinney is a great speaker.  ( Can't believe he is under 30 )
 - Create a remarkable brand and how to protect it
 - Facebook Page or Facebook Group and how to use it
 - How to grow your Facebook Page or Group
 - Must know websites
 - Team Management
 - How to follow up on your leads
 - How to successfully use Activerain
I wish I had taken better notes, as I already see that I missed tons of information.  ( Bring a tape recorder ) It was wonderful meeting the Activereain Staff, it felt like I was meeting family I haven't seen for a while.
The networking opportunity was great, there were people from Connecticut to  North Carolina to Washington State.  Bring lots of business cards.
I bow to all the agents who live in the D.C area, as it took us 2 hours of traffic to get there.  Our 4 hour trip turned in to a 6 hour drive.   I can't wait for the next one!!

To SELL or BUY  Real Estate in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth or Chesapeake VA visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice.com 

Call me at: 757-502-5324

Rain Camp Washington D.C.  Information overload... Almost!   was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

5613 Del Park Court - Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach - Wesleyan Pines - Cypress Point

This beautiful home for sale in Wesleyan Pines - Virginia Beach has been loved and meticulously maintained by it's owners. Honey Oak Hard Wood floors, crown molding, kitchen back splash, wireless security system and t 2 - inch blinds are a few of the many features that this Wesleyan Pines - Cypress Point home has to offer.
5613 Del Park Court has 2,053 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and is hidden in a cul-de-sac. The property fence in the back yard is behind the trees behind the fence.
The school system is Bayside. The neighborhood has an active homeowners association. Campus East Community Association. The Homeowner fees are aprox. $165 per year. This includes used of the community swimming pool and tennis courts. Wesleyan Pines - Cypress Point is a well established neighborhood where homeowners have been there since the start. There is a yearly yard sale and the neighborhood kids are respectful and friendly. House lots are plentiful which is hard to find in new developments, yet the neighborhood is new enough for underground power. Whenever there is a major storm and the city is without power Wesleyan Pines - Cypress Point has it's power, as it is located on a secure grid close to the transmissions lines.
There is a city neighborhood park a few blocks away and within five minutes there are golf clubs, restaurants and major shopping centers. Cypress Point Golf Course and Clubhouse is a minute down the road and you can ride your bike on the scenic road that surrounds the golf course.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

5613 Del Park Court - Homes for Sale in Virginia Beach - Wesleyan Pines - Cypress Point was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

I really wanted to post this yesterday, but even a day late this is a true story I want to share. This happened maybe 25 years ago.

I am sure you all know Ricky Martin, if not, click on the link and you remember his most popular song. Living La Vida Loca"

As a pre-teen Ricky Martin was a member of "Menudo"a group that reminded me of the "Menudo" a Hispanic version of the Jonas brothers of today.

They were very successful in all of South America. Mind you in Colombia menudo means tripe, usually goat, or cow. It is cooked as part of a regular barbecue.

Getting back to my story. So on April's fool day, which is actually December 28th in and is called "Innocent's day", Same as here people play pranks on each other.

At the time there were only two TV channels, ( it's been a long time, can't remember that far) and in the daily news the very serious TV announcer told the audience that "Menudo" was arriving that after noon at the airport.  It was a surprise visit

Within hours there was a huge crowd of screming girls at the airport waiting for the arrival of the "Menudo" group. Of course, with all the exitement girsl fainted, and as this was not a planned event the airport was not prepared for the situation. Thousands of girls and their mothers waited excitedly for the famous cute boys.

After hours of waiting, out of the Airport came out five young men carrying this:

.

.

.

.

No kidding. Happy April fool's day.

PS. I think the newspaper man lost his job, or was suspended. It was a huge deal, but I can't remember that far.

To buy or sale real estate in the Hampton Roads area visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/

Open House at 605 Pinewood Dr, Virginia Beach VA- Saturday Nov-19th  1-4 PM

Open House at 605 Pinewood Dr, Virginia Beach VA

Listing 6896829
Open and Airy; Very close to the beach

• 2,027 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 3 story - MLS® $340,000

Lakewood, Virginia Beach  -  Beautiful twin home just blocks from the beach. You will have a top notch school system in a charming neighborhood. You will love this 3 bedroom and 2.5 baths where you can enjoy barbecues in the back yard or sit on the porch and watch the sun set. Hardwood floors, granite counter tops, upgraded wood cabinets, open and airy feel, crown molding, surround sound in the living room, 2 Zone A/C, 9ft ceiling are some of the many amenities that you will enjoy in your new home.
Great 5 minute scenic walk to the beach! So close to all of the local hot spots at the boardwalk like Mahi Mahi's. Conveniently located right across the street from a little market and a sensational deli (Tads Deli)! Very quiet, peaceful neighborhood around polite, friendly, fun neighbors! Love bike riding up to the ocean!

Property information

Check out the Virtual Tour of this home for sale by the oceanfront in Virginia Beach,  605 Pinewood Dr Virtual tour

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

"Open House at 605 Pinewood Dr, Virginia Beach VA" was first published on  Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*  "Open House at 605 Pinewood Dr, Virginia Beach VA"

                                  Bergey's Breadbasket - Bread, Pies, Ice Cream, Milk,Flowers and More
                                                 2207 Mount Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Bergey's Breadbasket-  The store which sells Bread, Pies, Ice Cream, Milk, Flowers and More has been around longer than most people reading this blog.  Titus Bergey founded the farm in 1931 and it has been owned by his children and grandchildren eve since.  It used to be a working farm, but the City of Chesapeake made it impossible to continue running the business as a dairy farm circa 2007.  I used to take my kids to feed the cows, turkeys, chickens, pigs and some times sheep.  Now you find a beautiful store with produce brought from local farmers.  The milk is from Yoder's, and it is as good as the old Bergey milk used to be.  
The Bergey's Breadbasket- now sells Breads, pies, ice cream, milk, flowers, candy, honey and most of it locally grown.
Every time you visit the store there is a different flavor of ice cream.  Around Christmas, egg-nog , and egg-nog ice cream are available.  Halloween brings pumpkin ice cream, and the last time I visited (last week) cookies and cream was the flavor of the day.
A small menu with sandwiches and soups are served for lunch.   The soup of the day is always good, and the chicken salad sandwich is my favorite.  Make sure to try their smoke's barbecued ( done locally by Zook's Barbecue)
Customer service is excellent, and some days you get to see a female family member with their Mennonite wear working behind the counter.    During Halloween season a favorite local event was to go to the farm and pick your own pumpkin.  There were horse carriages that took 20 to 30 people at a time to the fields.  Plans of bringing this event back is in the works at Bergey's Breadbasket -    Bread, Pies, Ice Cream, Milk,Flowers and More will always be part of the menu at the Bergey's farm.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

                                                             East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale

While you tour East Beach  - Norfolk -VA you think you are driving in an old neighborhood with walk-friendly streets, ample front porches and  unique homes.  Not so, East Beach used to be a blighted, crime ridden neighborhood.  It has been redeveloped in to a Luxury neighborhood.  used to be a blighted, crime ridden neighborhood.
The 100 acre waterfront site on a peninsula between Pretty Lake Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay, East Beach is a neighborhood development designed in to a traditional neighborhood.  The development was designed based on a Master plan created by the team of Duany and Plater-Zyber.

East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale and community enjoy so many amenities that are almost to many to mention.
- Bay Front Club with a
        -Pool
        -Fitness center
        -Catering kitchen
        -Beach Access
        -Playgrounds
        -Giant outdoor chess set.
- Within walking distance to restaurants, a variety of shops, fishing access and marinas.
- Drive a golf cart
- 24-hour security patrol
- Location, location, location
        - Centrally located to Navy Bases
        -  10 minutes to Norfolk International Airport
        - 15 to Major Hospitals
- Due to it's planning friendly neighbors abound.
-  WALK TO THE BEACH

East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale will also enjoy future amenities.  There is a town center planned for the community.
In the master plan there will be a sunken croquet court, tennis courts and outdoor stage.



 East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale Start at  $ 295,000 for 576 square feet  up to $2,900,000 for an Ocean front home with 5,177 square feet.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale was first published on  Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*East Beach - Norfolk - VA-  Homes for sale

Map of homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake - Virginia

Ravenna - Chesapeake - Market Report, Homes for sale information has good news for the neighborhood.  Once again, priced right properties are selling.  Most neighborhoods have a long list of stagnant listings, but in Ravenna we find very few listings that have expired.

The blue line only tells us how long the houses that sold where on the market. 

- Of these listings 11 are New Construction. 

- Of the Sold homes only 1 has been New construction.

- Homes are selling close to asking price, but this doesn't take in to consideration prior price reductions.  It olny takes in to account the asking price at the time of the offer.

A total of 5 houses sold from January to June 2009 as shown by the Ravenna - Chesapeake - Market Report,  Homes for sale information

There are a total of 16 active listings and the average days on the market is 58.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

Ravenna - Chesapeake - Market Report,  Homes for sale information  was first published on  Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*Ravenna - Chesapeake - Market Report,  Homes for sale information

There are still new homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake -VA.  Ravenna is a newer neighborhood that was built starting in 2003-2004.  As you come in the neighborhood, you find beautiful  manicured brick homes.  About half the houses  have swimming pools.  There are about 250 lots, and there are about 18 lots left for sale.  There are several builders actively building homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake- VA.
Across the street from Ravenna you find Butts Road Intermediate.  Butts Road Primary and Hickory High Schools are the neighborhood schools.  Ravenna - Chesapeake - VA is conveniently located to Mount Pleasant and Centerville Intersection..  Farm Fresh, Bloom, Subway, Hickory Grill, Rudy and Kelly, Navy Federal Credit Union, Anytime Fitness, Bennets Bakery  are some of  the bussines available at the three strip malls located on the intersection.

Pre-owned and new homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake - VA Start at  $ 392,900 up to $ 599,000.
Square footage from 2400 to 4500.

Located on the East side of Chesapeake - Virginia, Ravenna is located within 25 minutes to the Beach, the Norfolk Naval base and the North Carolina border.  The excellent Hickory school system is one of the main reasons to buy a new home for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake - Virginia.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324

New homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake - VA was first published on  Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*New homes for sale in Ravenna - Chesapeake - VA

Memories of my childhood home - Los Apartamentos _ is the result of Jason's Crouch contest in Activerain.  I grew up in the first planned apartment complex built in Bogota, Colombia.  Even back then "La Carrera 30" was a busy street.  My group of apartment buildings were made with brick exteriors and the neighborhood next door had white walls.
We lived n in the red buildings.  There were three buildings a 15 story "La torre" (The tower) a group of building with 3 or four stories "Los Planos" ( The flat buildings) and the building where I grew up with 8 floors. ( Can't remember if it had a nick name.)  We lived on the top apartment, and as there was a Mezzanine ( The second floor seems that had been intended for.... who knows what)  we really lived on the 9th floor.  I lived there, until I was eleven, and although it was a small place, and I had to share a room with my sister, as of lately I have been homesick for "el apartamento."
I don't know at what point we got a guard in each building, but until then we had to ring the door bell to have some one let us in.  There was a  an area with grass where we spent a lot of our time as children.   My brother and his friends played soccer, and we loved to rolled down a small hill with my best friend's Suzy.  There was an underground parking lot, but I don't remember going in there very much. On top of the under ground was the regular parking lot, and on top of that was a terrace where we also got to play.  On one corner there was one plant. This plant made popcorn.  We would steal the matches to go burn the seeds and they would turn in to good tasting popcorn.  Before, I tell you about a  true stories of life and death in this time of my life, let me tell you about the actual apartment.  
To go up you rode what today would be considered a tiny elevator.  To go down, I loved to jump as many stairs as I could and get to the first floor before my brother.  He is a year older, so I can't think of a time that I beat him.
The apartment front door was made of thick blurry glass.  There was a foyer where my Mom had the telephone table-chair and a beautiful mirror. To the right was the kitchen with a swing door and past this  was the laundry area  (no clothe's washing machine for many years) and then the maid's room.
Going back to the foyer; if you walked straight as you came in the door behind the large mirror was the living room and to the right the dining room.  Off the dining room the balcony.  From the balcony you could see the main avenue, and it was a favorite place to throw things at the passer by's.  Water and dirt were the favorite items.  I can't remember the number of times that we got in trouble because we got caught.  Here is where my Dad would  sit on Saturdays to read.  Going back to the foyer, to the left of the front door  was a hall way. It led to the three bedrooms and two bathrooms right next to each other.  No Master bedrooms there.  The floor was made of a black material; probably vinyl.  My Mom carpeted the entire apartment, so that the neighbors downstairs would stop complaining about us children running and screaming.  Even the bathrooms had carpet.  My mother has always had impeccable taste, so our little apartment was beautiful.

The tower was the corner building  bordering the 30th and 26th streets.  On the street floors of "La Torre" my Mom had a boutique right at the corner where she sold women's clothing.  One day , she heard a commotion, and went to see what was going on.  People were gathering and yelling in front of our building, and everybody was looking up at the top of the building.  Well, it turns out that my 4 or 5 year old sister decided to take a stroll on the window ledge that connected the windows  of our 9th story apartment.   My 3 year old brother and me at around 2 years old were following in tow.  Of course, none of us has a recollection of this, but the story was told for many years, and people knew who we were because we all survived.  ( I believe the baby sitter was  fired ).

Memories of my childhood home - Los Apartamentos  was first published on  Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice

Copyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*Memories of my childhood home - Los Apartamentos

Map of Active Listing in Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - Virginia                                                                                                    

The Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - Virginia Market Report shows what we have seen in the region.  Houses are selling, as long as they are moderately priced and in great condition.  Above you can see the Active listings in Courthouse Estates as of July 24 of 2009

Blue: Days on the Market       Green: List Price           Red:  Sale Price

Notice that houses have been selling under the asking price, but this doesn't take in to consideration prior price reductions.  It olny takes in to account the asking price at the time of the offer.                                              The Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - VA - Market Report doesn't include properties that were sold buy owner.  

A total of 27 houses sold from January to June 2009 as shown by the Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - VA - Market Report.

There are a total of 20 active listings and the average days on the market is 76.

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

Call me at: 757-502-5324