Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk

Remembering my Dad. Recordando a mi Papi.

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:02:57 -0400

One year ago today my father passed away.

My Dad was born in San Gil, Colombia in the 1930's. His parents parents were of Spanish and Italian decent. They were very proud to be descendants of men who had helped start the revolution in Colombia to gain freedom from Spain.

I have so many memories of my Dad through out my childhood that it is hard to pin point who he was. He was very smart, funny, athletic, and as a little girl I thought the world of him.

On Saturdays he would sit on his recliner and read on our 8th floor balcony. My sister and I would put rollers on his head, and he would just let us play along. We curled it, fluffed it, and stuck it out. If I ever wanted to know about any subject, all I had to do was ask and he would know something about it. He received books by mail on different subjects every month. He had encyclopedias of the earth, the body, the stars and so many others subjects. The thing about him is that he actually read these books.

He went to night school while married with children and became an attorney. He was very open minded on some things, but if he had an opinion on something he would defend it. Every Sunday we would visit his mother along with all his brothers and sisters who lived in town . Politics were a common subject, and he would get so exited and loud trying to get his point.

He purchased some land 4 hours drive down the mountain on the outskirt's of a town called Honda (the H is silent.) He started building as money was available, so he first cleared the land, then built 2 rooms with a bathrooms and a small kitchen. There was no door on the bathroom for a couple of years. He then had a hole dig up for the pool, and filled it with water for the week or so that we would be there. Our whole family would come down, and brothers, sisters with their spouses would share the rooms with mattresses on the floors. The children would sleep in tents. Girls in one and boys in the other. The adults would stay up and play poker until 2 or 3 in the morning. The next day the talk would be over who won whose money. Eventually, for different reasons he sold the farm as we called it.

He loved to travel, and when I graduated from High School, he my mother and I went on a tour of Europe with a cruise to the Greek islands and all. That was the last attempt my parents made of saving their marriage. A year or two later, he took my sister and aunt on another tour trough Europe, and this time he visited what was then the Soviet Union.

While I went to Law school close to where his office was, he would take me to lunch a couple of times a week. I would grab his arm and walk close to him. I always felt protected. For four years I got to know him as an adult. Some times while I waited for him to finish his consultations with his clients, I couldn't help but hear him give council to people. He practiced civil Law. Mainly divorces and real estate matters. I could hear him act as a marriage counselor, and ask his clients if there was no way they could reconcile and give them suggestions looking to save their marriage. Usually, I would hear the cries of the wife.

My Dad was not a perfect man. I could go on and on with his faults, but I was very lucky to get the best he had to give.

I miss you Papi.

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/

Senior High School pictures photography and portraits- by the Best professional Photographer in Hampton Roads - Virginia... The results

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:07:57 -0500

Back in October, I wrote about my teen daughter's experience with her Senior High School pictures photography and portraits- by the Best professional Photographer in Hampton Roads - Virginia, Leila Wylie.
A few weeks later we received the proof of the session. They are wonderful and I wanted to share them with everyone who might be considering taking their kids senior pictures or any other family photos. Leila Wylie also does a variety of unique, family, children and boudoir sessions amongst other. Please check her website, and if you book an appointment let her know you heard it here. Enjoy the video and see the quality of work that Leila does. My daughter is shy and I used to think not always photogenic. I think she will always cherish that afternoon and the rewards of a lifetime of memories.

Click on the link to see the slide show Valerie's Senior High School Photographs

Read the original blog about Valerie and Leila's afternoon

False Cape is a Virginia State Park in Virginia Beach

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 07:19:01 -0400

False Cape a Virginia State Park

False Cape is a Virginia State Park in Virginia Beach located between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and North Carolina. There is no vehicular access to this park. The park covers 4,321 acres on a barrier spit between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay to the west.

You may access the Park in the following ways.
-Walk or bike the five miles through Back Bay National wild Refuge.
- By boat across Back Bay
- Tram from April 1st to October 31st.
- Beach transporter. You must call to make reservations.

False Cape got it's name from the ships trying to reach Cape Henry to enter the Chesapeake Bay. These ships often mistook False Cape for Cape Henry and run ashore. The water became shallow quickly and sandbars appeared without notice. Some of the first Europeans to settle False Cape were survivors of these groundings.
Life saving stations were located every 7 miles. The Life-Saving Station in False Cape was completed on December 4, 1874. It was located near where False Cape Landing Ocean campsites are today. The compound also included an observation tower and a boathouse. Two men would patrol each night, one walking north and the other south. Each walked 3.5 miles to meet a crew member from the adjacent station where they would exchange a token to prove they had completed their patrol.
In 1915 the Life-Saving Station Service was merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to from the U.S. Coast Guard.
False Cape is a Virginia State Park in Virginia Beach was decommissioned in 1937. The station was sold to a private individual and in 1969 it was struck by lightning and burned down.
Visit the Wash Woods historical site where the only remaining evidence of these community are headstones and the steeple from a church. At it's busiest time in the late 1800's there were about 300 residents, and it could support a small store and a one room school. Eventually sand began to approach the farmland ant the storms took a toll on the community.
Things to do:
- Learn about the natural and cultural history of False Cape by participation in one of their interpretive programs.
- Hike or bike the trails through the park.
- Camp at one of 12 primitive campsites.
- Swim or surf.
- Canoe and Kayak on Back Bay.
- Fish the ocean or Bay.
- Observe wildlife and beautiful sites.
For more Information call 757-426-7128.

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

Laugh or Cry take your pick... and your prayers too please.

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:08:16 -0400

Laugh or Cry take your pick... and your prayers too please.

My Mom who is this wonderful, strong, supportive, positive thinker, loving woman was driving with her husband yesterday after a long day at the doctor's. My step dad who is pretty wonderful himself had a tumor removed recently, and it appears that there may be other areas affected. I wish I didn't have to mention that they are malignant and that we are worried about his life.
I don't want to say the word of his illness as it may come to fruition. We just want to think that this time will pass and that he is a healthy man who will live for many years to come.
After a very difficult day yesterday, Eduardo was driving for the first time since his operation. They are not sure what happened but a very angry man started cussing at them and cutting them off. If you have ever had this happened to you, you know that it is very upsetting. They initially ignored the man, but he continued cutting them off and showing them the finger. My Mom opened the window and yelled "we are Sorry" several times. Once she opened the window she could hear the actual cussing from the guy. F&*&^, wet back sob&*% you get the picture. My Mom continued to mouth "I am sorry" and the angry man got even angrier and called her %#*@* "Democrat" *&%#*@*&, sob&*%.
They finally just slowed down and let the man move on. She called me and was laughing so hard that she couldn't understand why would this guy think that she was a democrat. I won't say what party she belongs to, as the point is how can someone can be so angry that because half the country doesn't agree with his thoughts that "Democrat" becomes an insult.
This is just one more life lesson from my Mom, who in a very difficult time chooses to laugh at such absurdity rather than letting her bring her down.
I tell this story because I want you to think and pray for Eduardo's health and wealth. This situation has affected them in so many ways, that today I ask for your positive thoughts and prayers. Many people have been cured miraculously, and I believe it is due to people praying and thinking of them.

I thank you in advance...

Sign of the week....

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:37:37 -0400

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

Why Life is Worth Living – My Compassion for the Bullied and Depressed (VERY long and VERY personal post)

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:26:23 -0400

I don't know how many teens read this blog, but if you are there and need an example of how life gets better..... You must read this!

Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):

I debated over whether or not to write this post, but I figured it’s better to risk a part of myself if I stand a chance of helping even one kid (or adult) who is undergoing a traumatic experience in his/her life. It’s one of the longest I’ve ever composed, and I made myself cry at least three times while writing it. Hope it helps someone.

My childhood up to the fifth or sixth grade was pretty uneventful, other than the fact that my parents divorced when I was a toddler, and my mom remarried a few years later. I played soccer, had a few close buddies, and sometimes laughed until milk came out of my nose.

When I was about 11 years old, my relationship with my stepfather changed, for a couple of reasons. Namely, I was pretty emotionally needy, which meant that my mom had to spend more time with me, especially getting me to sleep each night. I was filled with various anxieties, so she had to stay in my room until I was asleep, which often took way longer than she would have cared to spend, I’m sure. As a result (and I understand this now, as a father of four), this cut into any “alone time” that they would have had at night. I also wet the bed until I was 12 or 13, which kind of made sleepovers less likely to happen.

My stepfather was a prime example of something which is known as the “Peter Pan” syndrome, meaning that he didn’t really ever grow up, and he had his own baggage from his childhood. As a result, he treated me more like a little brother than his son, even though he legally became my father when I was five and he adopted me.

Here are some of the things that we endured:

I will never forget the time that he told me (when I was 11 or 12 and changing clothes to go out somewhere), “You take off your pants like a faggot.” I could think of a lot of comebacks to that statement now, but his remarkably hurtful comment stuck with me ever since.

After my mom and he divorced a couple of years later, I remember that almost every door frame in the house was cracked from repeated slamming. Their bedroom door also had a hole in it from me punching it in anger.

Once, after he said something to jar me, I threw a dictionary at his head, which made his glasses cut into his face and he bled quite a bit. He held me down and screamed in my face and scared the crap out of me.

On another occasion, he chased me into my room and grabbed me, and I smashed a jambox over his back.

He would rarely put on clothes when my friends came over, preferring to wear his underwear, or perhaps just a towel draped over himself while he was on the couch watching TV. Yeah – pretty gross, huh? Pretty embarrassing, too.

He didn’t seem to have any issue exposing me to inappropriate movies, such as the time when I was barely nine and he took me to see “Guns, Sin and Bathtub Gin”, which had garnered a solid R rating.

The cussing that I learned and heard for the time I lived under the same roof with him has yet to be exceeded in my adult life. He was an especially creative curser, it seemed.

I once saw him get arrested (and so did all of our neighbors) for running a stop sign and trying to “outrun” the police and get home. He spent a night in jail for that one. Idiot.

Around the same time that this stuff was happening at home, I changed schools, graduating from elementary school. Since I was private school-educated, my friends from grade school ended up in a bunch of different places, so I didn’t really know anyone when I started at the new place. As a new student in a new environment, I was pretty bookish and sensitive, neither of which are considered high on the list of qualities that the average 12 and 13-year-old wants in a friend. So, I was harassed at school by the “popular” kids – nothing overly abusive, although I had one memorable and brief fist fight with my locker partner. Namecalling, general harassment, not as much physical bullying, since I was tall, thankfully. I remember feeling physically ill at the thought of school many days. Mainly, I felt excluded, possibly because I was more introspective than outgoing and assertive. Making straight A’s is not a quick way to popularity, as it turns out. The teachers loved me, but the kids – not so much.

As you may have already pieced together, things had become bad for me at school AND at home at the same time. I was angry at the kids at school and angry at my stepdad, although I didn’t have much chance to express this outwardly. As a result, I became depressed instead. This wasn’t just a passing thing for me. It led to several years of therapy and anti-depressants.

One night in March 1985, when I was 14 years old, I stayed up much of the night and told my mom that I didn’t want to live anymore (and meant it). She did the only thing left to do, by hospitalizing me at Baylor Psychiatric in Dallas. As it turned out, this was one of the best things to have ever happened to me, because I learned how to talk about my feelings, and to recognize and express my anger and sadness, rather than stuffing it deeper and deeper inside. I was there for three full months, and I witnessed some rather serious mental illness, restraints on several patients, electro-convulsive therapy, and one lady who used to urinate on most of the chairs. In a nutshell, it was unlike anything I had experienced, but I wouldn’t trade it now.

If I could talk now to the 14-year old Jason, I would tell him (me) that things will get better. I would tell him that his life at age 40 is just about as close to perfect as it gets. I would share photos of his wife and children, and tell him of his career. Most of all, I would tell him not to give up, because the jerks you encounter and the everyday problems aren’t worth giving up your life.

Here’s some other stuff I would tell him about why his future life is worth living:

You haven’t had sex yet. It’s worth sticking around for this, I promise.

Your beautiful wife is cool and smart and a great mom.

Your kids will make you laugh out loud almost daily.

It would kill your mom and grandparents if they had to identify or find your body.

You are deeply loved, more than you could possibly know, by your family and by God Himself.

You’re a good dad.

Your marriage will last.

You like what you do for a living, even when times are harder.

Many of your friends consider you to be their best friend.

You will save the lives of at least two friends (subject of another post).

At any rate, you get the picture. I’m happy to have endured that time in my life. I don’t use it as a crutch now, and I rarely even talk about it, but it helped form the person I am today.

I’ve been married for almost 18 years now, and my wife and I have four awesome children (11, 9, 4, and 18 months). I’ve talked to my older kids about my past at some length, because I want them to understand that if things get bad for them, I am always available to talk, and that I will love them unconditionally. Yes, I mean it. My son has tried to test me on this a few times, “What if I ______? Will you still love me then?” The answer, then and now, is yes. I’m happy that they won’t have to work uphill against a father whose love can never be earned.

If you happen to stumble across this post, and you’re enduring something that seems so traumatic or earth shattering that you want to die, please keep in mind that things will get better over time. I remember when I was in the hospital at age 14, they told me that nothing truly traumatic ever lasts more than about 6 weeks. I recommend that you find someone to talk to that you trust.

If you want, you can email or call me. Yes, I really mean it. This goes for adults and teens, too. My email address is jason@jbcmedia.com and my cell phone number is 512-796-7653. I’ve been at some very dark spots in my past, and I’ve come through on the other side. Looking back over the past 25+ years, it’s hard to imagine how hard it seemed back then, and it’s hard to think that I didn’t even want to keep going. I’m glad I did.

If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?

If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!

False Cape State Park

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:21:01 -0400

Every year I go with a group of friends to spend the weekend in False Cape State Park. It is absolutely gorgeous and peaceful.

I am on my way.

Contact:

Tere Rottink
ZipRealty

www.TereRottink.com
(757) 502-5324

Click here to check out my Hampton Roads Real Estate website and SEARCH for HOMES for sale. I also have a great blog filled with tons of information regarding Hampton Roads which is composed of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton and Williamsburg at www.HamptonRoadsRealEstateVoice.com

My blog

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

False Cape State Park was first published onHampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

East Beach -Norfolk VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - East Beach -Norfolk VAHomes for Sale - Neighborhood Information

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:59:58 -0400

East Beach -Norfolk VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - East Beach -Norfolk VAHomes for Sale - Neighborhood Information

To view any of these homes or for more detailed information Call me at 757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit my website Homes for Sale in East Beach

LP = Listing Price SqFt = Square Feet SP = Sales Price SP/LP = Sales Price to Listing Price LP/SqFt = Listing price per Sqare Feet
SP/SqFt = Sales price per Square Feet DOM = Days on the market
* Days on the market does not take in to account prior listing attempts.
* Sales Price to Listing Price does not take in to account prior price reduction. Only the last price offered.
Information Deemed Reliable but not guaranteed.
Information courtesy of REIN Real Estate Information Network
**Statistics are based on REIN member listings and may not represent the total number of units in this area

Contact:

Tere Rottink
ZipRealty

www.TereRottink.com
(757) 502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Read my previous blogs on East Beach:

East Beach Neighborhood Information

Market Report 2009 East Beach

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

East Beach -Norfolk VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - East Beach -Norfolk VAHomes for Sale - Neighborhood Information was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

Ghent - Norfolk -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Ghent- Norfolk -VA Homes for Sale

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:38:11 -0400

Ghent - Norfolk -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Ghent- Norfolk -VA Homes for Sale

To view any of these homes or for more detailed information Call me at 757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit my website Homes for Sale in Croatan Beach

Contact:

757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Read my previous blogs on Ghent:

Ghent Real Estate Market Report 6months

About Ghent - Norfolk Virginia VA Neighborhood Information

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

Ghent - Norfolk -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Ghent- Norfolk -VA Homes for Sale - Neighborhood Information was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

Investors get rich again.... and again...

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:10:43 -0400

Investors getting rich again off the little people... Again!

Back in 2006 I had a client who needed to buy a home. He was a new father to be, and he and his wife lived in an old apartment downtown where the air conditioning didn't work, and it just wasn't meant to raise a family. He made a decent income ( an arquitect ) and his wife who worked was still looking for a better job. We looked for a few weeks and found a few options. Back then, you still had to be quick while thinking of an offer because by the time that they made up their mind, and I put it in writing the home would be under contract. Finally, we found a home with most of what they needed. It only had one bathroom...
The people selling the home had bought it circa 2000 and were walking away with over $50,000. My buyer, I will call him Ed, was so bitter about having to pay so much for a home where the sellers were making so much of what he considered his pocket. It was just not fair that life would be so unfair to him. Ed was in his 30's and had had that good job for years. I asked him why he hadn't bought a home earlier in life, as he would have been able to afford it. He said, he was waiting for the right time. He needed a home now because at this point he thought prices would continue to go even higher. I remember at the closing table Ed was so angry and bitter that some one else was making so much money of off him. Well, he had missed the boat, and if he had bought earlier before 2004-2003 he would be selling with a profit and moving on to a better home than what he could afford at that time. He thougth Investors were getting rich off the little people .... Again!.
He is a perfect example of today's would be buyers who are still waiting for prices to come even lower. Even if they drop a little more and they stay stagnant for a few years, interest rates won't be coming down any lower, as the banks are borrowing money pretty much for free from the government to lend it to the consumer. Lower rates mean that the government will be paying the banks, so that they can lend money to the public. I am no economist, but I don't see that happening. I dread to think what that would be like.

What I see now are the few and brave selling or holding on to their first home to move up closer in to their dream homes. Wise Investors getting rich off the little people are buying rentals left and right with the plan of holding for the long term for the right time to sell. They did not buy when the wanna be investors, and wanna get rich quick schemes were hot. They are buying now, when the regular people and the rest of the population are afraid to make a move. Who do I see building like crazy? Apartment buildings communities. Renters, now will fill the pockets of the already rich (investors) who know that the populate can't buy any longer or are afraid to buy.
If you are a first time home buyer and can afford to buy, are ready to move up or you always wanted to become a landlord this is the time to take that risk. Millionaires didn't get rich by doing what every body else is doing. They see an opportunity and jump in before some body else takes it. There are many ways to invest in real estate. If you want to find out, what options are out there CONTACT ME. Don't be like Ed and miss the boat again.
And what is Ed doing these days? He has a few kids and is still waiting for that great opportunity. (still only one bathroom)

Contact:

Tere Rottink
ZipRealty

757-502-5324

www.TereRottink.com
(757) 502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

Are you ready to get rid of your landline?

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:34:41 -0400

Are you ready to get rid of your land-line?

Like every one else, I had seen the tacky infomercials about the Magic Jack on TV. About a year ago, I was in Colombia South America, and I needed to call home to get important information. I was sitting at a meeting, and I asked around where to get a calling card. I thought that was the cheapest way to call in to the USA. When you travel abroad you have to be very careful where you make your phone calls. Years ago, I called my husband every other day for less than 5 minutes and three weeks later my phone bill was over $700. I am not exaggerating. It was almost as expensive as my three week hotel bill which was a nice hotel.
Going back to the meeting... A guy asked around if anyone had a wireless laptop, which some one did, and he proceeded to disconnect the phone of the wall and hook up the the phone and the magic Jack to the laptop, I was able to call for free, and I was hooked.
I have used my Magic Jack for the past year, and I have been very satisfied with it. It doesn't work with a Fax machine, but between the scanner on my fax machine, Docusign and the Fax at the office, I have yet to miss my Fax machine.

Pros of using Magic Jack

- No monthly phone bills plus the high land line add on taxes and service charges.
- You can call all over the USA whether a cell or land-line
- Inbound calls to the USA are free
- You can hook it up to any computer, and you always have the same phone number
- Caller ID
- International calls out of the USA for a fee
- $40 bucks to start and $20 every year after that
- Voice-mail that you can hear by calling your MJ phone number or open as MP3 file by email.
- The website says free Directory Assistance, although, I haven't used that service

Cons
- No Fax Service

Check out their website Magicjack.com

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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324

Your Family Photos Could Cost you Money at Closing.

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:03:28 -0400

Jo Soss

tells us a great example, of why it is so important to stage your home while selling it. I have personally seen buyers walk out of the door before giving the home a chance. TMI. ( To much personal information)

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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324

Via Jo Soss [360] 990-1433 Designated Broker|Owner Homefront Realty (HomeFront Realty LLC):

Over the last couple of days there have been a couple of blog articles written about family photos and the "should they stay or should they go" controversy. Tanya Nouwens writes 3 Common Home Staging Myths which is a really nice article and gives her reason why she likes to leave some photos. I agreed with her reasons. I also understand why some agents and staggers might disagree. It is all up to the seller and their real estate team I suppose.

Then yesterday I came across Donald Tepper's article Family Photos In Staged Homes: Are We Ignoring The Elephant In The Room?

Donald's article really got me thinking. I never think about race or ethnicity in my business. I see everyone as equal and can't even imagine a buyer not buying a home based on the photos they see or an agent for a seller using the seller's race as a reason to remove photos. I just don't think that way. There are no "elephants" in my business.

But, it did get me to thinking. Thinking about some showings I had this past spring. My market area is surrounded by two Navy bases. Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton. The Navy can be very small at times. Being a Navy spouse I have seen this. Move cross country and find out the military member is being assigned to a unit where they know several members from prior duty stations.

On showings of a military member transferring (PCS'ing) here from Georgia we went into a home that had all of it's owners personal belongings around. The home had not been staged and nothing seemed to be packed away. As we went from room to room we knew that the sailor was a submariner and stationed at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. We even read on a plauqe what his name was and what his rank and rate were.

The name sounded familiar to my buyer so he got on his cell and called someone he knew here. Sure enough it was a person he "knew of". He chatted away with someone on base who gave up lots of detailed information. The person on the other end knew that the seller was retiring and had already left the area. The wife and kids were still living here until school was out and then they wanted to move quick. The house was going to cause a problem if it didn't sell and close by June.

So here with one phone call we found out the motivation of the seller all because of some photos and personal belongings.

This was information that my buyer talked about. I could see the wheels turning as he made comments about how aggressive he could be in his offer if he chose this home. The seller showed his cards and I thought for sure my buyer was going "all in" if he made the offer.

So, yeah now I have changed my mind about photos and personal belongings - they should go. At least I have a story to tell my future sellers if they have objections on removing photos. This will help them understand how important some staging is.

Copyright © 2008 - 2010 West Sound Live!

The West Sound Live Team selling homes in Bremeton, Port Orchard, Silverdale
and anywhere Kitsap County

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(360) 830-6195 Office | (206) 333-0356 eFax | Licensed Washington Broker | Office Independently Owned and Operated.

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Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:41:46 -0400

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale. Real Estate Market Report September 2010

To take a look at any of these Homes, condos or for more information, call me at 757-502-5324 757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighend_of_the_skype_highlighting

Read more information about Estates on the Lynnhaven in my previous blogs:

Information about Estates on the lynnhaven in Virginia Beach

Real Estate Market Report Estates on the Lynnhaven - 12 months as of September 2010

Contact:

Tere Rottink
ZipRealty

757-502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 757-502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.TereRottink.com
(757) 502-5324 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 502-5324 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale. Real Estate Market Report September 2010 was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:32:07 -0400

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach is a waterfront community and is one of the newer subdivisions in Great Neck Point. Great Neck Point is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. This waterfront community in Virginia Beach is located on Woodside Lane and Estates Dr. Located on the eastern side of the Lynnhaven River near Lynnhaven Inlet, most homes are deep waterfront and the median square footage is 4,800. All homes are considered estates and are built with all the necessities that a luxury home owner expects.
Homes in this subdivision are still being built; it is a favorite Virginia Beach neighborhood with some builders that live in the Great Neck Point area and Hampton Roads.
You can not talk about this waterfront neighborhood in Vriginia Beach without talking about it's parent neighborhood Great Neck Point. In the same area that is considered Estates on The Lynnhavenn there are homes that are considered part of Great Neck Point. All of the homes in Estates on the Lynhavenn that are considered part of this subdivision have been built after 2007 but next to and across the street of some of the homes are considered in the tax records as part of only Great Neck Point. If you don't live in the neighborhood, it might be a little confusing. All homes on Estates Court and Estates Drive have been built after 2007 on land that was subdivided after the land was sold in 2003.
This waterfront neighborhood in Virginia Beach provides waterfront luxury living in a private secluded setting with plenty of retail, restarurants and the Cox school system withing a 5 minute drive.
If you are interested in building a new luxury home or on buying a home in Estates on the Lynhavenn call me at 757-502-5324
At this time there are 8 lots for sale from $375,000 to $1,650,000 and homes for sale from $1,785,000 to $2,750,000. The square footage ranges from 5,959,000 to 6,900,000.

Read more information about Estates on the Lynnhaven on my other blogs

Real Estate Market Report Estates on the Lynnhaven - 12 months as of September 2010

Monthly Real Estate Market Report on Estates on the Lynnhaven September 2010

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

Estates on the Lynnhavenn in Virginia Beach - Neighborhood information- Homes and lots for sale was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Homes for Sale - Neighborhood Information

Tere Rottink (CoastalVa Realty Inc) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:52:47 -0400

Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Homes for Sale - Neighborhood Information

To view any of these homes or for more detailed information Call me at 757-502-5324 or visit my website Homes for Sale in Croatan Beach

Contact:

757-502-5324

Read my previous blogs on Croatan:

Read mor Information About Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach in my previous blog

Three year Market Report For Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach

2010 Market Report for Croatan Beach - Virginia Beach January-February-March 2010

Real Estate Market Report for Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach from April to September 2010

Want to know more about the world of real estate in the Hampton Roads area?

If so, you can find me in these places:

Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Real Estate Market Report: September 2010 - Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach -VA Homes for Sale - Neighborhood Information was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.