Hampton Talks

What will happen to Interest rates in the housing market in the Hampton Area this year?

hamptontalks — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 20:05:09 +0000

For the 2015 year, Interest rates are a big question mark this year. Borrowed from Liz Moore and Associates “Liz’s Crystal Ball”

Interest rates are crazy low again, with a 30 year conventional fixed rate a full percentage point below the same time last year. Our friends in the mortgage industry have different takes on the likelihood of a rate hike in 2015: some predict an increase for the 3rd quarter of this year, subject of course to a continuing improvement in the economy. Others feel that they will remain low for at least another year.

We recently got some great news for home buyers as FHA lowered mortgage insurance premiums, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not offering low down payment mortgage products (3%) in order to compete with their government counterparts. That, combined with underwriting restrictions which are finally beginning to ease, should encourage first time buyer activity that was priced out of the market last year.

2014 in review

hamptontalks — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 21:32:06 +0000

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,800 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 47 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Hampton School Board Survey for a New Superintendent for the City of Hampton

hamptontalks — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 19:30:37 +0000

The Hampton School Board has selected the Virginia School Boards Association to conduct the search for a superintendent for Hampton City Schools. Part of the search process is to solicit feedback from Division stakeholders. To provide feedback regarding the new superintendent, please go to the following link and fill out the survey. Superintendent Survey
Paper copies of this survey will be made available in all of our schools. Patrons needing assistance completing the electronic survey may go to any Hampton public library or community center for help.

Winter is coming, Replace your Weather Stripping

hamptontalks — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:27:19 +0000

How to Replace Weather Stripping

When weather stripping on doors and windows gets worn out, cold air comes sneaking in. Here’s how to replace weather stripping and stop air leaks. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Neighborhood Spotlight- Elizabeth Lake Estates

hamptontalks — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:07:24 +0000

Elizabeth Lake Estates to me feels like a neighborhood I grew up in as a kid. Riding my bike through the cul de sacs, or walking with friends, Elizabeth Lake Estates feels like home. With 320 single family homes ranging from 3-6 bedrooms and up to 2800 sqft, there is plenty of room for a growing family to live. Elizabeth Lake Estates also has a community pool that is open yearly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The pool has a diving board, swim team, kiddie area too. Elizabeth Lake Estates is located off of Woodland Road and Fox Hill Road, close to shopping, schools and Gosnald Hope Park.

The feature property in Elizabeth Lake Estates that I want to share with you today is 511 Timberneck Court. This home boasts 4 bedrooms (one downstairs), 2 full baths, a large back room with plenty of light. Updated kitchen, bath, carpet and paint and a large fenced in back yard. Offered only at $260,000, this home is ready for it’s new home owners to create new memories. To find out more go to: http://rein.fusionmls.com/DotNet/Pub/EmailView.aspx?r=248772443&s=VAB&t=VAB

Hampton Neighborhood Awards

hamptontalks — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:09:38 +0000

Hampton’s Neighborhood Commission is looking for nominations for the annual Neighborhood Awards. There are three categories: Neighborhood of the Year, the Mary Johnson Award for Neighborhood Leadership, and the Dr. Michael Canty Award for Neighborhood Project of the Year. The awards provide an excellent opportunity for Hampton residents to celebrate the hard work and dedication of their neighbors in forming partnerships that contribute to the vitality and health of the city. Any resident or organization of Hampton is eligible to nominate or receive an award based on the criteria of each category. Go online for nomination forms and details on the program, including eligibility requirements. Applications can be downloaded online, and have to be submitted to the Community Development Department, 22 Lincoln St., by 4:30 p.m. Jan 9. Award winners will be announced this spring.

Tuesday November 4th is Voting Day!

hamptontalks — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 20:10:18 +0000

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and residents are reminded that state law now requires all voters to bring a photo ID. A valid ID can include a state driver’s license, DMV-issued ID, U.S. passport, or a government-issued photo ID.

Senator Kaine’s Staff will be hosting Kaine Connects at the Hampton Public Library

hamptontalks — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:39:29 +0000

On Wednesday, October 29, a member of Senator Tim Kaine’s staff will host Kaine Connects office hours at the Hampton Public Library. The Senator’s staff will be available from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Mr. Kaine encourages everyone to make an appointment by clicking here for the point of contact, but anyone is always welcome to stop by.

Hampton Public Library
4207 Victoria Blvd.
Hampton, VA 23669

For more information on upcoming Kaine Connects, click here.

Congestion Survey for the City of Hampton

hamptontalks — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:03:33 +0000

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization wants to know what you think about traffic congestion in the area. A series of surveys available online is designed to let area residents weigh in on one or more of 14 severely congested areas, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Go to www.hrtpo.org/page/cmp-survey and take one survey or several. Results will go into a report to help planners, engineer and others develop solutions to the congestion.

Have you ever thought of being a Foster Parent?

hamptontalks — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:28:04 +0000

Hampton Department of Social Services is dedicated to supporting children and families. Therapeutic Foster Parents are needed to work with our children between the ages of 10-21 years old. As a Therapeutic Foster Parent you will be working to ensure that children and youth have successful and stable homes. If you are interested in and would like more information on how you can become a Therapeutic Foster Parent, please contact Hampton Department of Social Services and speak with Allison Davidson at 757-727-1946.

Contact: Shirley Bowie, 727-1963, or
shirley.bowie@dss.virginia.gov

The Hamptontalks blog is written by Peggy Todd, REALTOR with Liz Moore and Associates, and is a great source of information for the happenings in Hampton VA such as events, programs, housing, shopping, entertaining and the like. Peggy has lived in Hampton for 10 years and through her involvement in VPAR, PTA and City Forum Groups has become an expert on the city of Hampton and its real estate market. She strives to be an active community provider and is passionate about representing home buyer and sellers in Hampton VA, as well as helping first time home buyers take the leap into home ownership.

When you are ready to purchase or sell your home in Hampton VA, or anywhere on the Virginia Peninsula, give Peggy Todd a call at 757-869-9069 or email her directly at peggytodd@lizmoore.com . You can also visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hampton-Talks/158440146851