Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk

Managing Home Inspection Expectations

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:19:17 -0400

Troy Pappas a local home inspector to Hampton Roads writes a great article about expectations on a home inspection. All homes should be inspected before purchase.

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

Via Troy Pappas - Virginia Beach Home Inspector (Safe House Property Inspections):

Managing Expectations for a Home Inspection in Virginia Beach

One part of my job as a Virginia Beach home inspector is to manage client expectations. By that I mean it is important that a home buyer know exactly what they are getting when they hire a home inspector. This is especially true if this is the home buyer’s first purchase. There need to be realistic expectations of what a home inspector is able to find and report. There are quite a few issues that a home may have that are outside the scope of a home inspection.

There are shows on HGTV and DIY network that highlight all the problems found in homes during remodeling or adding on additions to homes. These issues are found after tearing down walls and removing parts of the structure. Obviously this is not something that can be done on a visual home inspection.

Most if not all home inspection reports come with disclaimers regarding what is and is not covered during a home inspection. This is not the home inspectors way of trying to not to do a thorough job for their client. This is all about managing expectations so you know exactly what you have hired your home inspector to do. Realistic expectations are necessary to making sure there is no misunderstanding about the job your home inspector is performing.

So What is a Home Inspection in Virginia Beach

A Virginia Beach home inspection is a visual and non invasive inspection of major home systems and components for safety issues and defects. A home inspection is not a technically exhaustive examination of the house. There is no way to tell what is exactly going on behind a wall or under 9-13 inches of insulation. There may be evidence to an issue, and that is what will be in your home inspection report along with recommendations for a more exhaustive evaluation or other remedy.

A thorough home inspection gives an accurate report on the visual condition of the home at the time of the inspection. The condition of a home can change in only a day or two due to numerous variables that were not present at the time of inspection.

So What Does a Visual Inspection Mean?

A “visual” inspection means that a home inspection report is limited to describing conditions in those parts of a home that an inspector can see during the inspection. Obviously, parts of the home that are permanently hidden by wall, ceiling and floor coverings are excluded, but so are parts of the home that were inaccessible during the inspection for some other reason. Some reasons might include lack of an access point, such as a door or hatch, or a locked access point, or because an occupant’s belongings blocked access, or because of dangerous or unsanitary conditions.

There can be many more reasons. The point is that if an inspector can’t see a portion of the home, the inspector can’t assume responsibility for ensuring that a safe and proper condition exists or that systems are operating properly in that hidden space.

Home Inspectors are Like General Practioners

As a Virginia Beach home inspector I am not an expert in every home system, but I am trained to recognize evidence of potential problems in the different home systems and their major components. I will let you know when a problem is serious enough to recommend a specialist inspection. I may also recommend that you have an issue repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor, such as a plumber or electrician.

I look forward to being your Virginia Beach home inspector, and provide you with the most thorough and complete home inspection in Hampton Roads. Understanding what that home inspection entails will help to provide a mutually beneficial partnership.

........................................................................................................................................................

   Troy Pappas

    Safe House Property Inspections

    757-418-0944



Site: Virginia Beach Home Inspector

Email: Troy Pappas

   Join me on:

Why home stage your home before you sell in Norfolk - Virginia?

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:49:44 -0400

Why home stage your home before you sell in Norfolk - Virginia?
It will bring out the best in your house. It will feature rooms that compel the eye, evoke emotion. It will revitalize the house, show its best features. Home buyers will gravitate to the newly organized and freshly rejuvenated rooms. Your house will sell 50% faster, much easier, and for 6-10% more in profit.

A fresh look in your home by a stager, with a little or sometimes no investment for accessories and furniture on your part, can impart a new image. This past weekend, I had to hire a home stager and I interviewed a couple of local home stagers, but I was very impressed with Gerrie Beck from Maxispace Staging and Redesign.

I had asked a couple of Realtors for references, and Gerrie's name came up as highly recommended. Once I met Gerrie Beck from Maxispace Staging and Redesign I asked her ....

Why home stage your home before you sell in Norfolk - Virginia or why redesign? This is what she had to say "If you want a new perspective for your home, or a room, redesign can help accomplish this. With some new accessories, and placement of your furniture to bring about a creation that will give a unique visual impression, you will be surprised at what can be accomplished. Personal shopping services are available to recreate your new interior. "

WHAT IS HOME STAGING? When potential purchasers enter your home, the first thing that will impact them is the emotional connection they have. That means the rooms should show off their best qualities be it a fireplace, french doors, lighting, outside appearance, large or small rooms with character – aiming to draw the eye to the best features of a room. To accomplish this, various options are available and they range from giving the room(s) a new feeling by reorganizing the furniture, adding neutral paint color, redefining rooms, adding accessories to bring the buyer into the expression of the room. While everyone enjoys living in their home, selling the home to others means depersonalizing the space and giving it a warm and inviting ambiance. In this way, a purchaser’s connection is made. A qualified home stager can redesign rooms so as to appeal to a wider audience, as well as enhancing your marketing efforts. Maxispace Staging and Redesign truly hopes to aid you in this process.

Why home stage your home before you sell in Norfolk - VirginiaTo 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

Happy 2nd of July!!

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:02:52 -0400

Althoug not related to real estate, this blog is a very good read. This is one of those "I didn't know"

Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, Evanston Real Estate (Evanston Condos, Evanston Homes, North Shore Homes):

It's just so easy to say Happy FOURTH of July, but it's largely unknown that the legal separation of the original 13 colonies in the Americas from Great Britain, was on July the SECOND, 1776.

A resolution of independence by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was voted and approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776.

After voting for independence, the Congress started to turn out the Declaration that would explain the decision, prepared by a committee of five (Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams & Robert Livingston), with Thomas Jefferson as the principle author. Congress debated and revised the declaration until arriving at it's current form, and approving it on July 4th, 1776.

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

He was off by 2 days. From the beginning American decided to celebrate on the fourth, the date of the much-publicized Declaration, rather than the date that independence was actually approved in a much less publicized, closed session of Congress. The myth that the Declaration of Independence was signed on the fourth, was so enduring and established, that even John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (who had each signed the declaration), decades afterward came to believe that they had indeed signed it on the fourth.

So... happy 2nd of July!!
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate

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

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:17:47 -0400

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

Operation Appreciation-Military Families Receive Free Admissiion to 600 Museums Across the US

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:46:48 -0400

Active Military Relocation...Moving to Hampton Roads, then here area some great freebies for you. Thanks to Cindy Jones for passing this along. Local participating museums are as follows:

http://www.chrysler.org/

http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/

http://www.cacv.org/

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

Via Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World):

More than 600 museums across the US will be offering to free admission to active duty military and their families this summer as part of Operation Appreciation.

The Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts partnered to create this opportunity for families to enjoy everything from local children's hands on museums to those that feature art, history and science.

“The Blue Star Museums initiative is a tangible expression of appreciation to service members and their families,“ said Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon’s office of family policy."

Each museum will offer free admission to an active duty military member and up to 5 members of their family. Special exhibits within the museum may not be included in the free admission. Families should check with the museum they plan to attend beforehand to make sure they know if there may be charges for those exhibits.

In Northern Virginia some of the free museums and attractions include:

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
Bristow, VA

Carlyle House Historic Park
Alexandria, VA

Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Alexandria, VA

Morven Park
Leesburg, VA

Weems-Botts Museum
Dumfries, VA

For a complete list of museums participating in Operation Appreciation throughout the US check out the interactive map.

OUCH! This new lead based paint law has some serious bite, but is there a way around it for Realtors?

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:58:45 -0400

Important information for any homeowner or an older home. All homes built before 1978.

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

Via Jerry Bronstrup (Bristol Builders, Inc. Your Premier Contractor in L.A.):

There's a new law the real estate industry needs to be aware of, and it has a HUGE bite to it! $32,500 fines (and that's even for the first offense), licenses revoked and suspended, lawsuits, neighborhood watchdogs on the prowl, OUCH! We are not talking about slaps on the wrist. You think the EPA is serious when they passed the new law concerning renovations on pre-1978 properties which took effect on April 22, 2010? How does this affect the real estate industry including Realtors, buyers, sellers, investors, homeowners, contractors, etc.?

Well, in case you have not heard, the EPA is now enforcing a new law concerning the renovation, repair, and disturbance of properties with potential lead based paint (pre-1978 houses). There are specifics to the law you can find on the EPA site, but basically, the law requires that anyone compensated for repair or renovation on pre-1978 houses needs to be a certified lead based paint renovator. Bristol Restoration went through the certification courses earlier this month. We did not think twice about getting the certification. It's a $32,500 fine if we are hired to work on a pre-1978 house and are not certified. Not only do we avoid the fine, but in reality, the procedures now required to renovate lead based paint surfaces correctly are in the best interest of the public.

Why pass the law? Apparently, the EPA feels lead is extremely harmful and wants to assure public safety in this matter. You think $32,500 fine is a random number? The EPA spun the Price is Right wheel and it landed on $32,500? The EPA is serious about this one. The EPA backs up their concern in detail on their website about the health effects of lead. Read the rest of this article, then check out the links below if you want more background on lead.

Facts about lead

Health effects of lead

Where lead is found

Where lead is likely to be a hazard

How to check your family and home for lead

What you can do to protect your family

Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978?

Renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school with lead-based paint

Other EPA pamphlets on lead

Real estate "professionals" are already finding ways around the law. I actually heard a Broker at a meeting tell her agents to inform their clients that they are free from liability if they are not "compensating" anyone for the work. In other words, "pay someone under the table" or "do it yourself" (head turned to the side). Ummm, excuse me. Really? Keep in mind, we are talking about renovation (windows, structural repairs, etc). What percentage of homeowners are qualified to do their own work? Also, the homeowner is STILL liable and responsible to prove that the house is free from lead with an acceptable test. How easy is it to pass if procedures are not followed precisely? Why would a licensed contractor, a fully qualified construction specialist, be mandated by law to attend classes and training on how to properly repair lead based paint surfaces, but a homeowner who's training consists of "move that truck" and "design on a dime" be trusted to provide a safe working environment and acceptable workmanship that meets all safety and code guidelines?

Why are people trying to find ways around the law? The same reason why people would hire an unlicensed handyman. Money. It costs more to renovate under the strict guidelines set forth by the EPA in regards to lead based paint. The lead area has to be contained under very specific procedures and materials have to be disposed of properly. It simply costs more, and there is really no way around that.... unless, you "hire" someone not certified to do the work and they do the repair not according to proper procedures.

Is there a legal way around the necessity in hiring a certified renovator? Yes, perform a test on your house and check levels of lead prior to the renovation. Areas where you will most likely find lead will be around windows and doors. If you don't have elevated levels, then that information can be disclosed to the buyers and might help in marketing the house. BUT, if the house does have elevated levels, full disclosure is still required and proper renovation procedures (if performed) must be adhered to.

We should all do our job by doing the right thing when having work performed on homes with lead based paint. There are serious ramifications for skirting the law, both ethically and legally.

Want more info: Here are some good videos for Realtors put together by the EPA.

If you have any questions about lead based paint renovations, call us directly at 866.755.8169 or visit our site at bristolrestoration.com. Will be happy to talk with you!

The Chesapeake Jubilee at the City Park

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Sat, 22 May 2010 11:27:28 -0400

The Chesapeake Jubilee at the City Park

The Chesapeake Jubilee comes again from May 20th - 23th. Great Weather this weekend for this awesome Festival...Make sure to make it earlier in the day as it might rain in the late afternoon if the weather station is correct....

In it’s 27th year, this local festival is one

that our Hampton Roads, Tidewater family, friends and neighbors look forward to.
The Jubilee celebrates Chesapeake’s birthday. Chesapeake was born in 1963 when, Norfolk Virginia, county and the city of South Norfolk merged to create Chesapeake. The events are held thanks to the help of volunteers, city staff, community groups, and police, fire and sheriff’s departments. The first Jubilee was held at Greenbrier Mall in May of 1983. There was a huge birthday cake to celebrate it's first 20 years. The cake was built by Chesapeake’s firefighters and the candles were lit by gas. Fire Chief Buddy Bagley made arrangements for fireworks and has been in charge of them ever since.

The Chesapeake Jubilee is held at one of the parks in Chesapeake Virginia: The Chesapeake City Park, located in Greenbrier Chesapeake.
500 Greenbrier Parkway.

The Chesapeake Jubilee is a favorite for locals as it has Music, entertainment, rides, fireworks, country fair, (that was my kids favorite when they were little) Crafts, Shrimp Feast, corn hole, barbecue competition and much more. Here are a few high lights.

Music Highlights
Friday at 8PM: STEEL PULSE. This is a Jamaican-influenced band from England which has a Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album of the year.

Saturday at 7:30 pm: TONIC will be performing their hits including "If you could only see," "Open your eyes" and "Take me as I am"

Sunday at 4pm: RODNEY ATKINS country star with hits like "These are My People" and "Watching You"

Once again Amusements of America will provide the traveling carnival rides. Verizon Kids Korner will have a free zone for families with young children. Face painting, hands-on crafts, balloons, strolling musicians, jugglers will be part of the entertainment this year.

FIREWORKS Saturday May 22nd at 9:00pm

Other things happening are the Barbecue competition, 4 H Country Fair with animal shows and livestock action.

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD...
Shrimp Feast Details, funnel cakes, smoothies, pizza, fresh cut fries, blooming onions, turkey legs and more.

Don t forget to visit the tents with CRAFTS.... Unique hand-locally-made.

Check out how to get there..!!!!

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 Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in Nofolk VA

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:44:25 -0400

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in Nofolk VA

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in Norfolk Virginia was this past weekend. I made it early, so the crowds weren't there, and artists were still setting up. I have been to this festival many times, and I am happy to report that this year there were artists that I had not seen before. Maybe, because this time I went planning to write a blog I noticed more things than in other years. They had a schedule full of Entertainment with all kinds of music ... Acoustic, Jazz, , Alternative Rock, Country, Blues, Swing and Rock.
They had a stage for kids activities that included Magic show, Bobby the Clown, ( I am afraid of clowns) Balloon animals, Salsa performance, violin concert, Hands on art and Environmental Puppet Show.
I did not have time to visit their thrift store, but in previous years along with buying art, I have bought some cool nick-knacks there.

The Hope House Foundation hosts The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in Norfolk Virginia twice a year. Spring and Fall.
The Hope House Foundation is the only organization in Virginia that supports adults with developmental disabilities exclusively in their own homes. The Hope House Foundation has worked for independence, community inclusion and the right to participate in community life to the fullest extent possible. The goal to have people with disabilities live in their own home, have friends, go to work, do their own groceries shopping and just live a normal and ordinary life.

Other fund raiser events planned are:
~~A day at the Race - the 2010 Belmont Stakes! The event will be held Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 2PM – 7PM on the grounds of Talbot Hall located at 600 Talbot Hall Road in Norfolk.
~~ Hope, Love, Change" Fashion show and hair collections during the month of August.
~~The Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival in Norfolk Virginia will be held October 16th and 17th from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. The festival is held at the Stockley Gardens Park located off Olney Road in the Ghent section of Norfolk.

Come this Fall one of my friends better come with me to the The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival

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 Greek Festival in Norfolk Virginia - In May Information and more details

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:13:58 -0400

The Greek Festival in Norfolk VA is Hampton Road's oldest and largest ethnic festival. It starts May 13th until Sunday.

It includes the traditional Greek cuisine, exciting entertainment, arts and crafts, beautiful jewelry, a cooking school and the very popular drive-thru!

I am very glad to see that there is a cooking class this year at the Greek Festival in Norfolk VA

Festival Menu Click here

Learn more about Orthodox Christian faith by taking the tour of the Cathedral and by attending the various workshops held during the festival

Festival Hours :

Thursday 11am - 9:30pm

Friday/Saturday 11am - 10pm

Sunday 12pm - 6pm

The Greek Festival in Norfolk VA started yesterday, and it was already packed, but come all as it is really worth your time. The special Senior Citizen's Day will be held on Thursday and Friday, so TODAY is the last day. Seniors will receive a 10% discount on all items offered in the a la carted food line until 3PM.

Check out the Norfolk Virginia page in Facebook

For dancing shows the "Anunciation Dancers will perform during the festival. Most tipical dances from Greece will be displayed. This is a young group of dancers, as members are from ages 3 through 18. They love sharing the great cultural heritage of Greece to the people in the Tidewater area.

Lots and lots of dancing shows. Click here for full schedule

For full information and directions click here. Greek Festival Norfolk.

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

Easiest parking For the Norfolk Greek Festival in Norfolk: turn onto Thole Street from Granby, RIGHT onto Midfield St. Park anywhere there and take the 3-block walk on Midland toward Wards Corner. </body

Really, I Am Not A Bitch - Please Respect My Need For Personal Safety!

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:45:57 -0400

To all buyers and buyers agents please read this. Our safety is important, and unfortunately not all buyers are who they say they are.

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

Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):

I don't know why, but I still find it amazing when Potential Buyers get mad at me for not dropping everything at a moments notice and meeting them at a vacant house. Mind you, complete strangers!

By my nature, I am a friendly person, never met a stranger and can ALWAYS strike up a conversation. I love meeting new people and finding out what they are about, how they live their life, what they enjoy and what we have in common. My career also dictates that I have this pre-determined outgoing nature - I mean, really? How can one sell Real Estate if they don't like meeting new people.

What may be one of my greatest assets could one day be my demise if I didn't adhere to my own personal "Code of Safety" and listen to my common sense. There are simple rules that I self-administer and well, quite frankly, if a Buyer or Seller can not appreciate them and/or respect them then we simply weren't meant for each other.

I will NEVER respond to an email from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant home.

I will NEVER respond to a phone call from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant house.

I will NEVER host an Open House by myself.

I will NEVER work with any buyer until there has been rapport established and identity verified.

I will NEVER meet a COUPLE at a vacant home.

If you call me/email me and I don't know you then be prepared to meet in a public place, answer questions, and verify your identity. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a friend to many and I love my life and security.

If a Buyer can not respect these wishes and rules of mine then perhaps they are better suited with another Realtor®. Keep in mind, though, I am not a bitch, I am just smart.

Recent cases of Unpleasant Realities*:

St. Louis, MO - A man posing as a home buyer waited until he got a 24 year old real estate agent in an unfinished aprt of the basement and then pulled out a handgun. He handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, at one point putting a knife to her throat. Afterward, he robbed her and warned her not to scream for help before leaving her alone in the new home she thought he wanted to buy.

Liberty Township, OH - A man wearing a ski mask showed up at a model home. The on-site agent immediately asked the man to leave and closed the model home's door, but the agent later found the man standing inside the garage. The man grabbed her, but she fought him off and he fled the scene.

Cary, NC - A man registered in a neighborhood's model home, then asked to see homes in the community. Once the agent had taken the man to another home in the development, the man pulled out a knife and attacked the agent. She was bound and sexually assaulted.

*cited from the 2009-2010 NC Real Estate Update Course

The incident in Cary NC, for those of you that don't know, was literally 10 minutes away from me. While many may always have the feeling "that could never happen here" - THINK AGAIN!

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention an incident that happened to my West Coast Sister, Cristal Drake. She was robbed at an Open House in July 2009. I'll never forget how I felt when I read her post - she really is my kindred and I just can't imagine. You can read about her unfortunate event at her blog post...... Be On The Lookout for These Open House Thieves! North Orange County Agents PLEASE READY!

I don't care if you are a SEASONED AGENT or NEW TO THE BUSINESS - NO SALE IS WORTH YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY! End of story and there really is no discussion needed. There are many tips that I could give as both an agent and a Broker-In-Charge.....

ALWAYS have new clients meet you at your office or public place such as coffee shop, etc.

When at all possible - have another agent go with you when working with new clients.

If you get that icky feeling - ALWAYS go with your instincts!

Have a code word set up between you and your office so that when you are out and about showing you can call your office and they will instantly know that you need help.

ALWAYS leave an itinerary of where you are showing with either your BIC or another agent in the office.

Keep you cell phone on you at ALL times! Have 911 programmed into speed dial.

There are many "tools" that are available for protection now available nationwide through the various Association of Realtors® offices - explore them and find one that you are comfortable with.

And for all of you buyers reading this right now. Yes, you are what keeps me going in my career and without you I wouldn't be as successful as I am. However, there are quite a few "YOU'S" out there and if you can't respect my wishes then how can I possibly respect yours?

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area! I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home! For more information regarding Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

Leesa Finley - Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....

Circa Properties - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

Courage and Ed Freeman

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:00:42 -0400

There are few words that I can add to this piece. Living in a military community, and being married to a retired service man makes me appreciate so much more courage that goes unnoticed. To all my friends and friends to be who are serving our country, I thank you!!

Beware this is a tear jearker.

Via Liz Moras ~Chilliwack Realtor, Chilliwack, Hope, Langley, Abbotsford (Harrison Hot Springs, Cultus Lake):

It's so interesting what makes the news and what doesn't - isn't it? Often it is the headlines that grab our attention - and give the impression that it is those headlines that are important, impactful and relevant. Were it only so. Should this have been on the front page maybe?

Courage.

You're a 19 year old kid.

You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam .

It's November 11, 1967.

LZ (landing zone) X-ray.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 yards away, that your commanding officer has   ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out.

Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again.

As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then - over the machine gun noise - you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.

You look up to see a Huey coming in. But ... It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.

He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.

Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses

and safety.

And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! Until all   the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.

He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force,

Died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho.

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn't hear about this

Hero's passing, but we've sure seen

a whole bunch about Michael

Jackson and Tiger Woods.

Medal of Honor

Winner Captain Ed Freeman ...



If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2010 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. Information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive. It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd.

Homes for sale in BayLake Pines - Neighborhood information

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:24:03 -0400

Homes for sale in BayLake Pines - Neighborhood information is a perfectly located neighborhood in Virginia Beach. Nestled between lake Joyce, Shore Drive and the Atlantic Ocean BayLake Pines is a wonderful neighborhood with an active Civic League that has committees on Beautification, Welcoming, Traffic Calming, Summer Picnic, Neighborhood Watch and more.

BayLake Pines is one of the few neighborhoods with it's private beach and because is far removed from the tourist filled oceanfront it's residents truly enjoy privacy. Unique eclectic homes, the beach and the style of living make this neighborhood stand out from others.
Homes for sale in BayLake Pines - Neighborhood information... Homes started being built in the 1950's, and there are still tear downs to build new homes. Prices in Baylake Pines range from the 300,000's to 3 million at this time.

BayLake Pines is in the best school district of Virginia Beach and also has a private school very close by called BayLake Pines School. Charming streets, the beach, Joyce Lake makes this neighborhood a true waterfront community. 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. Multi-million dollar homes border the beach and because of the way the lake is made there is plenty of lakefront homes.
Homes for sale in BayLake Pines - Neighborhood information neighborhood has a priced location next to Little Creek Nava Amphibious Base, Eagle Haven and Bayville Golf Courses, 15 minutes to the Norfolk International Airport, Fort Story, 20 minutes to Towncenter and Interestate 64. To get an up to dat information on homes for sale in BayLake Pines call, text or email me. 757 -502-5324

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

Homes for sale in BayLake Pines Neighborhood Information - Homes for Sale was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved. Homes for sale in BayLake Pines - Neighborhood information

Senators Give Facebook the "Middle Finger..."

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:10:17 -0400

I fill surveys with wrong information all the time, but I guess I am just wasting my time, as now Facebook and Google know every thing about me. Scary....

Via Bart Wilson (Voyager International):

Facebook has 400 million users. This is more people than every man, woman and child (including illegal aliens from Mexico) living in the United States right now.

I've chronicled a few of the problems facing Facebook and now it's getting a lot worse. This last week, New York Senator Charles Schumer wrote a letter to the FTC demanding they develop guidelines for how Facebook information can be used.

Oops. Here it comes.

Since Facebook is experimenting with and placing every American's Facebook personal information at risk by pulling stupid stunts like last week's changing of Facebook FAN Page icon to LIKE -- it's opened up a whole new can of worms for those concerned about security over people's personal information on any social media network.

What's started of as a joke for Facebook and their fans (no pun intended) has turned into a real 3-Mile Meltdown of trust and resentment by highly visible "early adopters" of Facebook such as Bill Gates, Mat Cutts of Google and Serge Brin.

We've discovered parts of your Facebook personal information has come face to face with a serious security loophole over their Graph API release last week. Also known as the LIKE Plug in code. Which replaced Facebook's Become a Fan button.

And Sen. Schumer isn't alone in his rants against Facebook. He's teamed up with Sen. Al Franken (former Saturday Night Live comedian), Sen. Michael Bennet (D. Colorado) and Sen. Mark Begich (D. Alaska)

What This Means for Online Advertising

Privacy regulation for online social networks means firms like Twitter, Facebook and others may soon have to adhere to a stricter set of privacy standards and be open to having their networks scrutinized by the U.S. Government.

Because right now, a lot of people including a few Senators are giving Facebook the "middle finger," with last weeks screw up. Matt Cutts, a high profile engineer with Google has shut down his Facebook page and is recommending that everybody else do the same thing until Facebook fixes their blatant privacy (security) loophole.

I stopped running my ads on Facebook this week when I received my Facebook stats. My traffic was down -37% this last week. Apparently hundreds of thousands of people are not visiting or hanging out at Facebook as a result. I'm not running any ads on Google, Facebook or any other network until June. The Bartman wants to see what happens here and there's no sense in wasting my ad dollars on networks with customers that just aren't hanging out there for a while.

Why is this bad news for Social Media networks?

Because 20% of online ads target you based on online behavior. Newcomers like Foursquare and GroupOn are new names in targeted content marketing. Google on the other hand has been doing this now for a few years. Today's sophisticated cookies track your movement. Stumble Upon sort of falls into this same new category, too.

Did you use the computer at work to go shopping, or maybe to a porn site?

Well congratulations. That data is now being shared (sold) with lots of companies you never heard of. It won't track you per se all of the time, but it does track your computer's IP (Internet Protocol) address.

Who you are connected to.

What you did.

What websites you visited.

What you bought.

How many times you Tweeted what you watched on TV or had for breakfast.

All of this information is being collected up and sold to God only knows who or where.

All of this collection of you, your computer and what you're doing online is being being sold to the Credit Bureaus: Trans Union, Equifax and Experian, too. I covered this in a previous blog post a few months ago. Insurance companies have to be in that mix, somewhere too.

Right now, the issues of online privacy are being pitched to members of Congress by various special interest groups. The FTC is currently looking into the problems and will release it's report to Congress sometime by the end of the year.

What You Should Do Now

Facebook is Yin & Yang. 50% good. 50% evil. Some might argue 75% evil.

Just remember that your birthday, your real name, your family members, friends are now at some degree of risk right now. This is a documented fact. It's not brought about by any fear mongers here. Facebook really screwed up. Your personal security is now at risk, and you've been so informed if you've read this blog.

You have to decide whether the risk is serious enough to shut down your Facebook account until the company comes out with iron clad, bullet proof security systems that can let us sleep better at night.

Bart Wilson | As seen in Business Week

We Build Real Estate Websites and Custom IDX Systems That Don't Suck

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Wesleyan Pines - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale - Virginia Beach Neighborhood

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:53:38 -0400

Wesleyan Pines - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale is a centrally located neighborhood in Virginia Beach. It is located West of Diamond Springs and North of Wesleyan Drive. The neighborhood has an active homeowners association, Campus East Community Association, fee is $165/year. This includes the use of community pool and tennis courts.
The neighborhood is well established and people are meticulous in maintaining their yards. Residents love to walk through the neighborhood. Once a year there is a neighborhood yard sale. Everyone that lives in Wesleyan Pines have been in their homes for many years, and the neighborhood kids are very respectful and friendly. House lots are plentiful and specious and there is good separation between houses which is hard to find in newer neighborhoods yet the neighborhood is new enough for underground power.

There is a Virginia Beach park in the neighborhood a few blocks away. The Locala Shopping Center is very close by (1/2 mile) with plenty of shops to chose from. Farm Fresh, Surf Rider Restaurant, Advance Auto Parts, an antique store, sushi restaurant, Comic Chest, several hair salon places, Walgreens, 7-11, many more. Cypress Point Golf Course and Clubhouse is a minute down the road. Wesleyan Pines - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale residents love to jog and ride their bikes on the road that surrounds the golf course. Also, everything is very close by and the neighborhood is strategically located near major employers, shopping and beaches.

Interstate Access I64 and I264. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and Chicks beach are both 10 minutes away. Chicks beach is a locals favorite for family fun. Norfolk Int. Airport is 10 minutes away. Northampton Blvd (5min) is a major redevelopment area for the City of Virginia Beach with new shops and offices planned and will be a major destination in a few years. It's good to get in to this neighborhood while prices are low and interest rates are very low. Lake Taylor Golf Course is also 5 min away. Town Center and Military Circle shopping centers are 10 min away. Little Creek Base is 15 min away. The Oceanfront or Downtown Norfolk 20 minutes.
It must be noted that whenever there is a major storm and the entire city is without power Wesleyan Pines - Virginia Beach Homes for sale neighborhood always has its power as it is on a very secure power grid located very close to the main transmission lines.

The neighborhood includes 176 homes that range in in the low 300's a bargain even in this market.

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

Our Beaches, Your Litter Box - Yes, Again!

Tere Rottink (Zip Realty) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:27:55 -0400

Barbara from Wilmington writes a great reminder. Beach time is here again, so People clean up after your self. Make it a point to bring a garbage bag to the beach and drop it in the main garbage can as you leave the beach. That simple.

I will see you at the 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

Via Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes - Barbara Kornegay (REMAX Coastal Properties):

Well the season has started and with it comes the trash....So once again I will repeat myself....Here is reminder - Let's take care of our environment!

Your litter Box - As I was walking the beach a few days ago with a friend and fellow colleague, and her 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers, we stepped into a large mound of Doggy poo covered in sand.... I said to her, It is no wonder they don't allow dogs on the beach 6 months out of the year -

Your Trash Can - On a side note, My husband has recently taken up metal detecting.... I know, I know - But he loves it.... The interesting thing is as he walks the beach looking for long lost treasures and change, he mostly finds pull tabs, cans, and other trash, buried sometimes 1 foot below the surface! Why would you bury your can a foot down in sand rather than walking it to the many trash cans placed on our local beaches.... ?

Your Ash Tray - and as he diggs so diligently for those cans he usually comes up with the most precious of treasures of all - an average of 10 or so ciggarettes...

What is interesting is that at first look, our beaches are the most beautiful on the East Coast... They appear to never have litter of any kind on them....Gorgeous! Yet what is buried below the surface is a different story....Sound familiar!!! It so typical and lazy and is a metaphor for everything that is wrong in our world today....

It is really simple people! Take responibility for your own garbage and empty the trash can before the entire world starts to stink!
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