Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I was born in Colombia, South America.  I have now lived longer in the US longer than I ever lived in Colombia, so I feel I belong to both places.  One of the things that I  miss about back home is the music.  There are all kind of music in Colombia, but the music that I am about to share with you reminds me of my parents and the pride of being Colombian that I was taught from them.  This is true, beautiful Colombian music, I hope you enjoy it like I have.  If you are wondering about the colors, these are the colors of the Colombian flag.

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

   Let's have a happy day!  Music that touches my heart...  was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*Let's have a happy day!  Music that touches my heart...

Courthouse Estate Market Report - Homes for sale in Courhouse Estate - Virginia Beach

Due to REIN rules, I have had to take down the displays of information that I was using.  Stay tuned, as I will be making my own, and displaying the information in my own format.

Map of Comparable Market Analysis or Market Report  in Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - Virginia                                                           

The Courthouse Estates - Market Report - Homes for Sale Virginia Beach - Virginia  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  map of homes for sale, sold and expired in the month of February, 2010.

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

It is nice to see that the few houses that have sold have sold very close to  asking price, although 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 - Market report- homes for sale in Courthouse Estates  Virginia Beach - doesn't include properties that were sold buy owner.  

A total of 3 houses sold in the month of February, 2010 as shown by the Courthouse Estates - Virginia Beach - VA - Market Report.

There are a total of 18 active listings and the average days on the market is 50 days. It was 76 DOM back in July.  If you are looking to buy or sell a property in Courhouse Estates or anywhere in Hampton Roads contact me.

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

Below are the properties available for sale in the Courthouse Estates neighborhood and and surrounding areas at this time. To view any of this homes contact me. To view all the listings available please visit my website

Courthouse Estates Market Report - Homes for sale in Courhouse Estates - Virginia Beach - February  2010 was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.* Courthouse Estates Market Report - Homes for sale in Courhouse Estates - Virginia Beach - February  2010

The North End in Virginia Beach

Nestle between 32th street and Fort Story Military Reservation you find "The North End in Virginia Beach"  There are some neighborhoods that people aspire to and others don't want to leave.  "The North End in Virginia Beach" is a perfect example of this.  Unique eclectic homes, the beach and the style of living make this neighborhood stand out from others.  With the best schools in the city, charming streets, tall trees (oak and pine mainly) and did I say the beach?  Many of the homes have been handed down for generations. Must empty lots and houses in disrepair have been replaced by new homes or have been updated.

The first cottages by the beach were built in the early 1900's and a few remain.  Greystone Manor  was recently  added to the historic landmark registry.  The Edgar Cayce's A.R.E  a holistic center is located in the neighborhood.  During the 1920's The Cavalier hotel  was built . Its unique construction of  cement covered still made it fireproof.   To this day The Cavalier is a favorite of tourists that come to Virginia Beach.  Begining on 63rd street First Landing State Park borders the neighborhood. 
Make sure to visit one of my favorite stores on 40th street Taste Unlimited.

This prestigious neighborhood in Virginia Beach has been protected from commercialization.  Wealthy owners from Virginia Beach, Richmond and surrounding cities call The North End in Virginia Beach their second homes.  Beach rentals are available in the summer and you can even buy your own garage apartment at this time.  Condos, co-ops, luxury buildings with private pools, parking lots and beach access are an affordable way to live in one of the premier neighborhoods in Virginia Beach by the Oceanfront.  There are bargains to be had in The North End,  and with low interest rates and a glut of homes for sale opportunity knocks to those wishing to live by the beach.

Oceanfront homes with thousands of square footage and every conceivable comfort are for sale at this time at The North End in Virginia Beach.  If you always dreamed of living by the beach in Virginia Beach, there has never been a better time or opportunity than this.  There are many homes for sale in all price ranges. 

Contact me for more information on this exiting, prestigious neighborhood by the beach in Virginia Beach

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

The North End in Virginia Beach   was first published onHampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink,

All Rights Reserved.* The North End in Virginia Beach

Last week a lot of us did not leave the house for four days.  Some people were not able to stay home, but luckily the kids had two snow days, and I was relieved.  To make it to school the drive is on country roads and because of the ditches it is a scary route.  
Will there be school on Monday?  It is snowing again, and will get below freezing tonight.  I guess another weekend that we may miss church.

Thanks to David Corsar for letting me use these pictures from the oceanfront.

This last picture was taken by Valerie on our back yard.

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

There used to be a Taste Unlimited gourmet shops in my town of Great Bridge, and they moved it closer to the highway a few years ago.  I was pretty ticked.  But the place is so awesome that I still make the 15 minute drive to eat lunch, and get all their gourmet goodies.  I specially like their chicken salad, pastries, potato salad..... oopss I better stop there because I could go on an on.  The ambiance of their stores is very welcoming and unique.

Taste Unlimited gourmet shops was started  in 1973 by Peter Coe a Yankee by birth, Southerner by choice (and a cosmopolitan by inclination) - that is his description on his website .  Today they have 6 stores in Hampton Roads.  I have visited the ones in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the one in my neck of the woods in Chesapeake.  They all keep their theme and high standards.
 
When I am looking for a unique gift, I know that I can find there what can not be found elsewhere in Hampton Roads. One year I bought about 30 boxes of uniques cookies and gave them as gifts to my relatives in Colombia.  They loved them.  I have also used their knowledge in buying wine as gifts.  I know very little about wine.  (For my daughter's sweet 16, I was asked to buy white wine, and I bought white zinfandel.)  All you have to do is ask, and the expert will help you.  And almost last but not least great Gift baskets.  No effort presents.

There are monthly wine tastings at their Ghent, Newport News and Oceanfront stores, and Peter Cole give cooking lessons on other days at the Oceanfront location.  All the pictures on this blog are from the Oceanfront store.                           .  

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

Taste Unlimited Gourmet shops in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Newport NewsT was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.* Taste Unlimited Gourmet shops in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Newport News.

Snow in Hampton Roads

We had the biggest snowfall in the past 20 years.  We are still snow bound, and most activities have been cancelled across the area.  Our weather casters were right this time about all the snow that was to come, as you can imagine they had been wrong a few times before.  Hampton Rodians are having fun in general with this once in a generation snow fall.  

This reminds people who have been here all their lives of the snow fall of 1980 when the circus was in town, and by the time it was over "guests" had to spend the night at "The Scope" our local arena.  Some one in Facebook still remembers the smell of elephant poop and dirty diapers.

WVEC meteorologists measured and reported the following snowfall totals.  

As of Saturday night: 9 inches in central Virginia Beach, 7.5 in Chesapeake, 6 in northern Virginia Beach, 5.5 at Norfolk International Airport and 6.5 around Ghent or Larchmont.

So now on to play in the snow.

A Brief history of the first century of the City of Norfolk.  Check out the map I created of the City of Norofolk, Virginia (inspired by Lenn Harley's maps)

Before Norfolk was Norfolk it was called Skicoak and The Chesipean indians ruled the area.  By the time the English came they had been wiped out by Chief Powatan on the basis of a dream by one of his advisors.  The Chesipean Indians had been a peaceful people.
In 1607 three English ships landed at Cape Henry (today's Fort Story,) and then continued their trip up the river where they finally established the first English settlement in North America called Jamestown.  I love Jamestown so much that I will write a whole blog about it. A must visit with owt of town visitors.
But lets continue with our brief history of Norfolk Virginia 

By 1622 - 200 acres of land in Today's city of Norfolk was owned by Lewis Vandermill, who almost immediately sold it to a Nicholas Wise a senior shipwright.  In 1624 Kin James granted what is today's Ocean View to Thomas Willoughby, and that same year Ferry service began  across the Elizabeth river on to Portsmouth.  One of my favorites must do when we have company from out of town is to go on a Ferry ride. It leaves each port every 15 minutes during the summer and every 30 the rest of the year.   The fair is $1.50 for adults and children and  $0.75 for Senior and Persons with Disabilities.  Have lunch at one of the magnificent Norfolk or Portmouth restaurants with "Cafe Europa" being my favorite restaurant in all of Hampton Roads.
 
In 1640 the Elizabeth River Parish is completed in todays Norfolk Naval station.  In 1680, Norfolk Town was established on the area now surrounded by City Hall Avenue on the north, the Elizabeth River on the south and west and the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks on the east.  The land had been purchased from the son of Nicholas Wise. The price paid for the land was 10,000 pounds of tobacco.
In 1698 the first church was built in Church St present day St Paul's.

And so it goes the first century of our beloved City of Norfolk.  For a history of the City of Chesapeake visit my previous blog on the matter.

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

A Brief history of the first century of the City of Norfolk.  Check out the map I created of the City of Norofolk, Virginia (inspired by Lenn Harley's maps) was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2009 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*A Brief history of the first century of the City of Norfolk.  Check out the map I created of the City of Norofolk, Virginia (inspired by Lenn Harley's maps)

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, Bennets Bakery, Casa di Constanzo (great real italian food) 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 $ 399,800 up to $ 539,000.
Square footage from 2400 to 3180.

One of the builders is selling a 2,600 sqft home starting at 399,800.   Call me to build your luxury home today for an affordable price.

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

Mount Thrasmore in Virginia Beach, Virginia 

For those of you who have read my blog, know that I am doing a Biggest loser/winner contest.  Today I had organized a walk at the park.  The park which is centrally located to Virginia beach is Mount Trashmore.  I have driven by it thousands of time, but I had never been in it.  Well, my loss. 

Nicely organized with two lakes, walking trails, kiddie park, skateboard ramps, picnic areas, basketball court, volleyball courts, vending machines, restrooms  and the mountain that was built over recycled trash... what a way to recycle.  I am so out of shape that I barely made it up the tiny mountain, but it was well worth it.  I was thinking in three months I better be like Rocky when I finally climb it with the background music, and I will  throw in a few air punches.

Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach  is 60 feet high and over 800 feet long, and is the heart of 165-acre Mount Trashmore Park.  The mount was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil, literally turning trash into a treasure for families. It was built in the late 1970's.  The kid park "Kid's Cove" was built by volunteers.  The skateboarding facilities are free and open to the public, and operate from 8 a.m. until a half-hour prior to the park’s posted closing time.  Facilities include four large and 11 small picnic shelters, playground areas,  parking, vending machines and restrooms. Mount Trashmore Park also has multiple walking trails.

I liked the park so much, we are doing it again next Saturday.  Even the 30 degree weather won't keep us home.  Come visit Mt Trashmore in Virginia Beach you will love it.

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

Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*Mt Trashmore in Virginia Beach, Virginia*

Short Sale - 321 Curtis St, Norfolk VA

Brick Ranch built in 1980

This home is centrally located 5 minutes from the Shipyard and within minutes to Downtown Norfolk. 

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage, 1146 sqft.

Berkley is an old neighborhood that has seen a renewal in the past few years.  Newer homes within a block were built 4 years ago, and the street where this property is located is quiet where people know who their neighbors are.

At 8:30pm you can hear the Shipyard whistle. 

The house is in pretty good condition, and a few repairs, new carpet and cleaning makes this home  ideal  for a first time home buyer or a great rental for a savvy investor.

The house is Sold As Is.

The seller is very negotiable, just BRING US AN OFFER.

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

Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*Short Sale  in Norfolk  Virginia  -  321 Curtis St*