”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.

Congress has voted to extend the current higher Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loan limits through 2010. The present loan limits would expire at the end of 2009 and revert to previous lower limits. The higher limits, along with the home buyer tax credit extension, are necessary to keep the markets moving at this critical time,” said National Association of Realtors President Charles McMillan.

“Home sales have shown significant movement upwards in the past six months and reduced inventory in some segments of the housing market, but not in all. Home purchases in the middle-income and higher brackets have not moved much, and those markets must improve before we can experience a fully sustained housing recovery. These higher loan limits will help motivate qualified home buyers to purchase in those markets,” McMillan said.

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

Norfolk - Interestingly, even with the increase in the number of homes sold the market time was virtually the same. 

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

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Pending home sales have increased for seven straight months, the longest in the series of the index which began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.Now, let’s take a look at Hampton Roads real estate sales statistics (singel family homes) for September 2009 and see how we are compared to last year.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, rose 6.4 percent to 103.8 from a reading of 97.6 in July, and is 12.4 percent above August 2008 when it was 92.4. The index is at the highest level since March 2007 when it was 104.5.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said not all contracts are turning into closed sales within an expected timeframe. “The rise in pending home sales shows buyers are returning to the market and signing contracts, but deals are not necessarily closing because of long delays related to short sales, and issues regarding complex new appraisal rules,” he said. “No doubt many first-time buyers are rushing to beat the deadline for the $8,000 tax credit, which expires at the end of next month.”

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.   

Norfolk- Prices appear to be pretty stable from September 2008, with just a slight decrease.  Maybe we are turning a corner here. 

Virginia Beach  Even with the number of sold homes increasing by a substantial amount, the market time to sell a house is just about the same as last September. These stats are looking better every month. 

Portsmouth Unfortunately we still have a slightly down market in all our numbers; more days on market, the number of homes sold and the median sale price. 

Chesapeake Great increase in the number of homes sold this month in Chesapeake!  Prices were still down but that wasn’t appeared to deterred folks from moving. 

Suffolk Wow, it appears people in Suffolk were on the move in September!  Prices were still a little down although Suffolk is right in the middle of all our cities in that area. 

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.

Existing-home sales rose for the third consecutive month with inventory easing and home prices declining less sharply in June, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, is hopeful about the gain. “The increase in existing-home sales occurred in all major regions of the country,” he said. “We expect a gradual uptrend in sales to continue due to tax credit incentives and historically high affordability conditions. Despite the rise in closed transactions, many Realtors® are reporting lost sales as a result of new appraisal standards that went into effect May 1 of this year.”

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

Norfolk-Is the only city showing a decline in the number of home sales, however, the decline in median sales price is less than all the other reported cities. 

Virginia Beach- People are on the move!  Home sales increased over 21% from this same time last year. 

Portsmouth- Also shows an increase in sales volume, although the decline in sales price is still in the double digits. 

Chesapeake – Is still showing a double digit decline in median sales price. 

Suffolk The average days on market appears to be in line with last year but they have had a significant decline in median sales price, ouch! 

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. 

To learn more about Hampton Roads 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.

Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach real estate sales statistics for April 2009.  

Norfolk-The average days on market is five days shorter than last year, the median price decline is highest vs last year among our 5 cities. 

Virginia Beach prices seem to be holding pretty well with an average median price decline of only -2.36%. 

Portsmouth home owners seem to be holding on to their homes this year; we are seeing 33% less homes on the market from last year. 

Chesapeake is sitting right in the middle of our 5 city analysis showing declines in both change in units sold and median price.

Suffolk appears to be relatively calm; home prices and the change in homes on the market are both only down less than 10% as compared to the same time last year.

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. 

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 Virginia Beach real estate is worth?  Visit HRHouseValue.com.

The deadline for mailing 2008 federal tax returns is Wednesday, April 15, 2009. No Post Office in the Hampton Roads area is providing extended retail hours. The Hampton Roads General Mail Facility, 600 Church Street, Norfolk, will have personnel collecting mail until midnight to ensure last minute filers receive an April 15 postmark on their federal returns.

All returns with Automated Postal Center (APC), or self-service kiosk, postage must be deposited prior to the last posted collection time, or the mail must be taken to the Hampton Roads General Mail Facility by midnight to receive a timely postmark, where kiosks are available 24/7. The APC label reflects the sale date which does not necessarily represent the mailing date, and an official postmark is required on returns.

Mailers are strongly advised to check the last pickup time posted on blue collection boxes before depositing their returns as mail deposited after the last pickup time will not receive an April 15 postmark. Mailers needing “proof of mailing” must use either a certificate of mailing, certified mail or registered mail obtained through a retail window employee.

The last mail pickup from blue collection boxes in larger Post Offices are listed below, and offices with an APC are marked with an asterisk:

CHESAPEAKE
*Chesapeake Main Office, 1425 Battlefield Blvd., N., 6 p.m. collection box deadline
*Great Bridge Station, 1100 Battlefield Blvd., S., 5:30 p.m. collection box deadline
NORFOLK
Norfolk Main Office, 600 Church St., postal personnel will collect returns until midnight

PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth Main Office, 933 Broad St., 6 p.m. collection box deadline

SUFFOLK
*Suffolk Main Office, 445 N. Main St., 5:30 p.m. collection box deadline

VIRGINIA BEACH–All offices have a 5 p.m. collection box deadline. The following offices have an APC:
*23452 Main Office/Lynnhaven Station, 501 Viking Dr.
*23454 Hilltop Station, 550 First Colonial Rd., Ste. 308
*23455 Bayside Station, 2109 Thoroughgood Rd.
*23456 Princess Anne Station, 2509 George Mason Dr.
*23462 Witchduck Station, 4831 Columbus St.
*23464 Acredale Station, 1225 Kempsville Rd.

Portsmouth real estate sales statistics for February 2009 show a 14 percent decrease when compared to February 2009 with 11 fewer homes sold. The averages sales price declined 5 percent and the median sales price declined 6 percent during the same time period. Market times increased 28 days or 31 percent.

Portsmouth Real Estate Sales Statistics – February 2009

The National Association of Realtors reported an increase in existing-home sales in February, reversing losses in January. Sales activity, however, remains relatively soft, reflecting additional layoffs and buyers waiting for housing provisions in the economic stimulus package to take effect.

Portsmouth real estate sales did not reflect the national figures, making this a great time to buy a home, 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. 

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

Interested in knowing what your Chesapeake home is worth?

Visit HRHouseValue.com. 

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

The National Association of Realtors^® expressed support of President Obama’s broadened focus of the nation’s economic recovery that stresses housing stability and making health care an important component of his economic revitalization strategy, in addition to “restarting lending” and preventing foreclosures.

“We fully agree with President Obama’s emphasis that housing is the backbone of our national economy,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “As he said, when a family buys a home, workers are hired to build it. Those workers spend money and open businesses. As a result, investors return. In short, housing is the key to revitalizing America and we pledge to work with him to help jumpstart our economy.”

Let’s take a look at Hampton Roads real estate sales statistics for January to see how the new year started off:

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