”The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
                                                                      ~ Burton Hillis

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally and is no longer viewed as a purely religious holy day. It is now a time enjoyed by people of many countries and faiths, and there are numerous universally recognized icons which we associate with the yuletide. In fact, these symbols have become so commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas that when we see Santa riding on a reindeer, a mantle hung with stockings, coniferous green trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments, or houses festooned with evergreen wreaths and mistletoe, we know that the magic spirit of the season is upon us.   

The tradition of the Christmas stocking dates back to approximately 250B.C. in Asia Minor. There Nicholas, rich man who became a very generous Christian priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that “miracle,” neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings–or even put out shoes–to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. Find instructions for making your own Christmas fireplace stockings.

Along with the Christmas holly, laurel, rosemary, yews, boxwood bushes, and, of course the Christmas tree, mistletoe is an evergreen displayed during the Christmas season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we’re kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we’ve forgotten all about it (the plant, that is, not the kisses).

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! 

And ’tis the season to decide what presents to give, to buy the presents, to wrap the presents, to mail and/or deliver the presents.  Whew!–time-consuming and somewhat exhausting unless you’ve discovered online shopping. Here are just a few ideas: EasyXmas.com, Gifts.com, Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Fragrance.net. There are hundreds of other sites just waiting to display their wares and ship them for you. Some even offer free holiday shipping or will do the gift wrapping for you.   

Want something a little different? Check out the top ten present picks for 2009.                                                   

             “May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!”
                                                                                                   — Unknown

Another time-saving tip: rather than hand writing cards to send holiday greetings online to friends and family and have someone else do the work for you. Great selections–warm, funny, cute, animated, talking, photo, traditional, romantic–and no waiting time!

And speaking of greetings—show support for our troops. Xerox still has a web site that lets you send a message of thanks to soldiers currently serving in Iraq. This is a FREE service and only takes a minute to do.   What a great way to spread the spirit of the season! Visit www.LetsSayThanks.com today.

Yes, you’re busy, busy, busy, but what about the children?

Need to keep the kids happy and involved? Here are creative and original holiday stories. Chat with Santa’s elves. Have fun with educational activities. Make pom-pom snowmen, a snowman garland, or a Rudolph handprint. Deck your halls and walls with candy-colored crafts. 

There is lots of online fun for the kids:

• Visit Santa’s Secret Village
• Track Santa’s trip around the world.  
• Dress up a snowman.
• Decorate a Christmas tree.
• Play fun Christmas games.
• Count the days til Christmas. 

Other good sites for craft creations –ornaments, cards, trees, etc.–to make the days leading up to Christmas happy ones are Parents.com, Christmascrafts.net, SchoolFamilyFun.com, FamilyFun.com, FamilyCrafts.com, and Kaboose.com. 

Interested in how Christmas is celebrated around the world? Check out information on the traditions and customs of over forty locations. For instance, general Christmas traditions in Bethlehem are similar to the European and North American customs observed during the festival. From a few days before December 25th, the town is decorated with flags and other items of adornment. Streets are strung with Christmas lights. A Christmas market comes up and Christmas plays are performed. A cross is painted on the door of every Christian home, and Nativity scenes are displayed in every household.  

Learn how to express Christmas greetings in many languages.  Try it and surprise everyone with you linguistic ability. 

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”
                                                     ~ Hamilton Wright Mabi 

Now let’s move from goodwill to men to good food at Christmas time… eggnog, sugar cookies, Christmas punch, glazed ham, brunch biscuits and eggs–and so much more. You can even view vidoes to help with baking. Decorating cookies, making colorful Rice Krispy treats, and creating gingerbread cookies are all great family activities–and the results are delicious!

Another traditional activity for family members of all ages is caroling–indoors or outside. Rusty on the lyrics…not a problem.

Still hungering for more family time and/or seasonal spirit? It is said that the tradition of making Christmas movies is as old as making movies itself and Christmas has long been a favorite subject of moviemakers. In fact, so many movies have been made on the theme of Christmas that the list would be too long to print here, but you might want to try The Miracle on 34^th Street (1947 version or the newer one),  A Christmas Carol,  A Christmas Story,  It’s a Wonderful Life,  and White Christmas.  

Christmas facts few people know:

*  In the Ukraine, if you find a spider web in the house on Christmas morning, it is a harbinger of good luck. 

*  In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of “kissing beneath the mistletoe. 

*  The “Urn of Fate” is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. TheUrn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. 

*  In Sweden a common Christmas decoration is the Julbukk, a small figurine of a goat.  It is usually made of straw.

Alas, dear readers, having presents to buy and wrap, cookies to make, movies to watch, ecards to send, songs to sing, pages to color, eggnog to drink, stories to read, a tree to trim, stockings to fill, thanks to express to our troops, caroling and mistletoe kissing to do, this writer must stop, but not before sending warmest wishes to you for a wonderful and 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The National real estate market is trending toward improvement, but more importantly the Local market is improving too.  Sometimes we need to take Baby Steps or look for the little things that give us hope as we look towards the future. 

We aren’t out of the woods yet; the local article mentions there is currently a 9.5 month inventory of residential homes on the market in the Hampton Roads area, just slightly lower from the previous month.  That is a lot of homes available to buy/sell.  Owners thinking of selling need to be aware of the competition and the possibility it may take longer to sell than they had hoped.  Buyers should recognize this as a great time to buy, especially with the low interest rates currently available and the Federal Tax Credit program.

So, take heart, the local real estate market is “In Recovery” and we can look forward to much better days ahead.  Give us a call or e-mail to let us know you have questions or are ready for our help in your home buying or selling.  Would you like a copy of our book we co-authored: “Get the Best Deal When Selling Your Home… Hampton Roads, VA Edition”? You could be working with the Agent who wrote the book on real estate!

Now is a GREAT time to be buying a home in Hampton Roads, if you are looking for a long term investment. Now is not the time to buy and flip…but to buy and hold for 3,4 or 5 years. 

Now, let’s take a look at the numbers for single family home sales in Hampton Roads and see how we are compared to last year.

Norfolk- The market is moving!  We are seeing very nice numbers throughout Hampton Roads! 

Virginia Beach-Wow, homes sales were definitely up again for the month of November, hopefully with the extension of the stimulus package into Spring we’ll continue to see these numbers. 

Portsmouth Prices are still slightly down but the increase in the number of homes sold is outstanding! 

Chesapeake These numbers are terrific!  Let’s hope this trend continues well into the new year and beyond. 

Suffolk The greatest increase in the number of homes sold this month is Suffolk!  WOW, look at the difference a year makes! 

To learn more about Virginia Beach real estate, please contact us at 866-222-0158 #550 or visit ButlerTeamHomes.com.  

Interested in knowing what your home is worth?  Visit HRHouseValue.com.

Statistics compiled from Real Estate Information Network. They are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

The home improvement trend appears to have gained momentum in recent months, be it in simple upgrades or major remodeling. Owners of Virginia Beach real estate are rapidly joining the ranks of do-it-yourselfers, hirers of handymen and specialists, or clients of architects and general contractors. Which of these categories best describes you depends on your time, ability, and motivation; the complexity of the job; approval/certification required by local authorities; financial considerations; and the availability of reputable help.

After you have identified the improvement desired and the level of expertise required to do the job, your next step is to find the appropriate worker. If that person is you, there are many sources to assist you. Businesses such as Home Depot, Lowes, and carpet/tile retailers often give free “how to” clinics in the evenings or on weekends and have helpful handouts to guide you.

There are also innumerable web sites for the novice to advanced do-it-yourselfer which provide, articles, diagrams, videos, advice from professionals, and step=by=step instructions for a myriad of fix=ups or upgrades ranging from hooking up an icemaker tore facing kitchen cabinets to laying floors and constructing a patio. Some helpful sites are DYInetwork.com, DYIAdvice.com, HomeandGardenAdvice.com, and HomeImprovements-and-Financing.com.

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The Holiday season provides us with many opportunities for fun with our family, and decorating inside and outside your Virginia Beach home is one activity that can be enjoyed by both young and old. As always, however, the use of common sense and the taking of safety precautions are vital to ensuring happy holidays.

To that end, the Consumer Products Safety Commission strongly suggests you follow these timely tips when decorating your Virginia Beach home:

TREES:

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.   
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and, when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

LIGHTS:

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As every homeowner knows, property insurance is a necessity. This is especially true in Virginia Beach, where many homes border the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, or a myriad of lakes, rivers, and marshlands. The cost of adequate insurance may seem daunting initially, but there are certain steps you can take to reduce your costs to a reasonable level.

        1. Shop around for the best value. Check online for quotes from at least three reputable agencies. Be aware that some companies offer a discount of 30% to 40% if you buy online. Other possible discounts can result from insuring both the home and the contents or by insuring your home and your car with the same firm.

        Also know the replacement value of your home, taking into consideration any unique features that will be expensive to replace. Keep in mind probable inflation increases at renewal time. Does your insurer automatically adjust your coverage or do you have to request the change?

        2. Make periodic updates to your Virginia Beach home or property. Ways to reduce insurance costs include the following:

A) replacing the existing heating system to one which is safer and more cost-efficient.
B) keep plumbing in good working order and protect it from freezing
C) replace fuses. Inspectors are looking for circuit breakers and a safe wiring system
D) install fire detectors or even a central alarm system. Be sure to keep a record of all repairs/replacements and inform your insurance company of each one.

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A simplified guide for painless purchasing of your Virginia Beach home

Be patient. You’re getting close to the finish line and will soon be the owner of your first home. Just a few more steps to go…

1. Homeowner’s insurance policy

Adequate homeowner’s insurance is a requirement of all lenders, and it is certainly in your best interests to protect the investment you’ll be making in your Virginia Beach home. To find the policy that is right for you, you should shop around for the best value. Check online for quotes from at least three reputable agencies. Be aware that some companies offer a discount of 30%-40% if you buy online. Other possible discounts can result from insuring both your home and the contents or by insuring your home and your car with the same company. Check to see if you need flood insurance, as many properties in Virginia Beach do. Know the replacement value of your home, taking into consideration any unique features. Think about probable inflation increases at renewal time. Will your insurance agency automatically adjust your coverage, or will you have to request a change?

2. Preparations before closing

As the settlement date approaches, check with your lender and your closing attorney to make certain all necessary documents are in order and are being prepared. You will also want to contact utility services such as gas, electric, water, cable, and telephone to set up service in your name. Be sure to ask your real estate agent about the type of acceptable payment (usually a certified check) and amount to bring to the closing for any unpaid fees. It is also a good idea to gather all paperwork associated with your purchase (estimates, contract, proof of title search and insurance, home appraisal, and inspection reports) to take to the closing in case a question arises.

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A simplified guide for painless purchasing of your Virginia Beach home

Okay, you’ve made your lists of: must have” and “would be nice” features, and you’ve identified desirable neighborhoods with the schools and amenities that meet your needs. Now it’s time to seriously shop for your first-time Virginia Beach home.

Before you even step outside to begin the search, your agent will email to you listings which meet your criteria, and you can “visit” many of them online via a virtual tour. Once you have narrowed down your choices, your agent will arrange for you to look at–in person– your selected properties. A few bits of advice here:

1) Take notes on each home you tour. Too often individual details blur after you’ve seen four (or more) houses in a day.

2) Look past the owner’s furnishings and décor. Concentrate on the features you have identified as important and try to picture yourself actually living in the space.

3) If you have decided that you don’t need a “move-in ready” residence, look at the potential of the property. Would simple cosmetic changes make a considerable difference?

4) Listen to both your head and your heart. Sometimes a property really does “speak” to you, and you know you have found your new home.

Now it’s time to make an offer! Your agent will provide you with comparable prices (comps) of similar homes which have recently sold in the neighborhood to help you decide how much you are willing to offer. He/she will prepare a contract which will include price; amount of down payment and deposit (earnest money); your financing arrangements; inspection rights; conveyance of any appliances, window treatments, furnishings, etc.; the settlement date; and any contingencies you might want to add.

Once your agent presents you offer to the seller, negotiations may begin. The seller may counter your offered price or any other part of the contract, and you may, in turn, counter such requests. You may have to offer more money in price, but you can also ask the seller to cover all or some of your closing costs or to make repairs that ordinarily would not be covered. The best solution, of course, is to reach an agreement that makes both the buyer and the seller happy. A word of caution here: it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying your first Virginia Beach home and in the negotiation process itself. Stop often for a reality check. Don’t get so personally involved that you lose sight of what you really want–or can afford! Occasionally you may have to walk away from a potential deal, but keep in mind that there are hundreds more homes from which to choose.

More often than not, however, the deal is finalized, and you will quickly proceed to having a home inspection, a HVAC inspection, and an environmental test (asbestos, mold, radon). Your agent can arrange for these important inspections to ensure that the property meets expected standards. He/she will also deal with the seller to take care of any exposed discrepancies and/or unexpected problems

What‘s next? Preparation for your closing, a walk-through of the property, and then the actual settlement! Watch this space for the final installment of thus series.

Basic Steps for First-time Virginia Beach Home Buyers – PART II

Basic Steps for First-time Virginia Beach Home Buyers – Part 1