Natural Pools (Swim Ponds)

Is it a pool or is it a pond? It's both! What do you think about the latest craze in swimming pool design?  All natural water in swimming pools that look and act like natural ponds! I love it! What better way to enjoy the natural beauty of swimming in cool water than in fresh, clean, naturally clear (not chemically treated) water. It can clean itself. Better for us, better for the environment. See the photos and info at :Good Houskeeping.com Although I love the idea, I'm not sure I am ready to share my swimming pool with all of  "nature" so until I know how to keep the frogs, bugs and critters out ... I think I'll wait. If you know of someone who has one, I would love to come see it myself. Call me. 

Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn?

Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn in Summer? The Cool Way! By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: June 28, 2012 Make sure your ceiling fans rotate in the correct direction to cool you in summer. We’re having a heat wave; so make sure your ceiling fans are spinning in the right direction to move air around the room. Most fans are reversible: One direction pushes air down, creating a nice summer breeze; the other direction sucks air up, helping you distribute heat in winter. There's normally a switch on the motor to change the fan's direction. Is your fan turning in the right direction for summer? Stand beneath the running fan, and if you feel a cooling breeze, it’s turning correctly. If not, change directions, usually by flicking a switch on the fan’s base. Typically, it's counterclockwise or left for summer and clockwise for winter, but the best method is to follow the steps above. Funny note: We read on Yahoo! that one clever person used bubbles to see which direction his fan was blowing. Stay cool!

What is "HB 331" and what Does it Mean to ME?

HB 331 is the number given to a new Act made into law by the Virginia General Assembly that took effect on July 1st, 2014. It is also known as the FHSP or First time Home buyers Saving Plan. In a nutshell, it allows anyone to put a principal amount of up to $50,000 in (several allowable types of ) a savings account for the sole purpose of going towards the purchase (down payment or eligible closing cost expenses) of a (first time) single family residence in Virginia. Any interest or dividends earned on this money shall be excluded from the taxable income of the account holder (as allowed by law).  Nice way to save for a home and save on taxes at the same time! Read here the actual  First Time Home Buyer Saving Plans Act. Start your savings today and watch them grow. When the time comes to buy that first home, you will have the
money you need to get a head start! Need more information? Contact me.

Quick Ways to Make Some Shade

 

Quick Ways to Make Some Shade, But Don’t Forget: Trees Are Best By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: May 24, 2011 Immediate relief - Umbrellas, awnings, and quick-assembly patio tents are quick, although sometimes costly, methods of creating shade instantly. The ubiquitous patio umbrella—found even in grocery stores for $30—can either stand alone upright or offset, or slip into a hole in your patio table. Choose an umbrella that tilts, so you can block the sun at any angle. Or get one that’s fabulous, like Frontgate’s Rimbou Lotus Shade, which looks like a giant palm frond. (Cost: $1,795.) Retractable awnings, a permanent feature of older southern homes, are traditional shade makers for outdoor areas up to 12 feet from your house. Motorized awnings take the fuss out of opening and closing. Depending on size and what kind of bells and whistles they come with, awnings typically cost from $400 to $3,000. Portable awnings are my favorite, because they make shade wherever, not just areas close to the house. SunSetter’s Large Oasis Freestanding Awning, measuring 16 ft. by 10 ft., can provide 160 sq. ft. of shade. (Cost: $1,549 manual; $2,099 motorized.) A cloth gazebo (aka patio tent or canopy) is another option that’s great for entertaining. You can go simple and inexpensive ($50 for Target’s Outdoor Patio Pariesienne Gazebo Canopy, though online reviews indicate you get what you pay for). Or you can step it up with the Garden Oasis Lighted Gazebo, complete with lights and netting for $700 at Sears. Long-term re-leaf - Growing shade trees is the greenest—and slowest—way to block the sun on patios and decks. There’s nothing as cool as sitting under the shade of an old oak tree. If you can’t wait 20 years for a little shade, plant a quick-growing variety which, in tree language, means it grows a couple of feet or more each year. You can rush the process by paying more and buying big trees, and you’ll see a return on your investment. Here are some species to consider. American Elm: (Zones 2-9) Grows rapidly up to 100 feet tall and 120 feet wide. Adapts to varied climates and soil conditions. October Glory Red Maple: (Zones 4-9) Provides a 35-foot spread and grows to 40 feet high. Sawtooth Oak: (Zones 4-9) Dark green summer foliage turns yellow to brown in fall. Wildlife will love its acorns. Chinese Pistache: (Zones 6-9) Wonderful wide canopy and grows in all but the coldest zones. Natchez Crape Myrtle: (Zones 7-10) Lots of long-blooming white flowers and cinnamon-colored bark. How do you block the sun from baking your patio or deck in summer? Did you plant a tree a few years back that is now rewarding you with lots of shade? We’d love to know!

4th of July Fireworks in Virginia Beach - 2014

     This 4th of July get out and take part in some of the exciting events going on throughout the city. Sure there will be lots of tourists here but be nice! They are paying your taxes while they are here, so welcome them and make them want to return! (And pay some  more of your taxes!)
     Everybody loves a good fireworks display, well except for a few dogs I know, so make your plan to get out and see the show on the 4th and arrive early for good viewing and seating. July 4th shows will be at both the Virginia Beach oceanfront (near 20th St off a barge) and at Mt. Trashmore off 264 (near Independence Blvd). Both shows scheduled for 9:30 pm start.
     Be aware that the city of Virginia Beach (vbgov.com) has this posted:
City Reminds Citizens: All Fireworks are Illegal in Virginia Beach
Every year, adults and children are seriously injured and fires are ignited by people setting off fireworks across the city. In a joint effort to promote safety this Fourth of July holiday, the Virginia Beach Fire Marshal’s Office and the Virginia Beach Police Department are urging citizens not to use fireworks. During last year’s holiday weekend, the Fire Department responded to 21 fireworks-related incidents.

The Fire Marshal’s Office has teamed up with the Virginia Beach Police Department to form the Fireworks Enforcement Team.  The team will confiscate illegal fireworks and issue summonses. The teams will be in Sandbridge, the North End (54th to 89th streets), Chicks Beach and Croatan.  In addition, three teams will patrol citywide. The purpose of these patrols is to ensure safe communities from illegal fireworks.  There will not be any amnesty checkpoints this year. 
Citizens are reminded that all fireworks are illegal in Virginia Beach, including sparklers, which burn at 1,800 degrees.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s 2010 US Fireworks Injury Report, there were 8,600 fireworks-related injuries in 2010 – an alarming 40 percent of these involving children under the age of 15.

Possessing illegal fireworks is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.  Citizens are encouraged to attend fireworks shows at Mount Trashmore and the Oceanfront. Residents and visitors attending the Fourth of July fireworks at the Oceanfront can park for free at the Virginia Beach Convention Center parking lot on 19th Street. The fireworks extravaganza, launched from a barge off 20th Street, will begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. {End quote}
     Have a fun and safe 4th!

7 Steps to take BEFORE you buy a home

7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: February 10, 2010

By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home.

Most potential homebuyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase.

1. Decide how much home you can afford

Generally, you can afford a home priced 2 to 3 times your gross income. Remember to consider costs every homeowner must cover: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care if you plan to have children.

2. Develop your home wish list

Be honest about which features you must have and which you’d like to have. Handicap accessibility for an aging parent or special needs child is a must. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are in the bonus category. Come up with your top-five must-haves and top-five wants to help you focus your search and make a logical, rather than emotional, choice when home shopping.

3. Select where you want to live

Make a list of your top-five community priorities, such as commute time, schools, and recreational facilities. Ask your REALTOR® to help you identify three to four target neighborhoods based on your priorities.

4. Start saving

Have you saved enough money to qualify for a mortgage and cover your downpayment? Ideally, you should have 20% of the purchase price set aside for a downpayment, but some lenders allow as little as 5% down. A small downpayment preserves your savings for emergencies.

However, the lower your downpayment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for, and if you still qualify, the higher your monthly payment. Your downpayment size can also influence your interest rate and the type of loan you can get.

Finally, if your downpayment is less than 20%, you’ll be required to purchase private mortgage insurance. Depending on the size of your loan, PMI can add hundreds to your monthly payment. Check with your state and local government for mortgage and downpayment assistance programs for first-time buyers.

5. Ask about all the costs before you sign

A downpayment is just one homebuying cost. Your REALTOR® can tell you what other costs buyers commonly pay in your area—including home inspections, attorneys’ fees, and transfer fees of 2% to 7% of the home price. Tally up the extras you’ll also want to buy after you move-in, such as window coverings and patio furniture for your new yard.

6. Get your credit in order

A credit report details your borrowing history, including any late payments and bad debts, and typically includes a credit score. Lenders lean heavily on your credit report and credit score in determining whether, how much, and at what interest rate to lend for a home. Most require a minimum credit score of 620 for a home mortgage.

You’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports annually from the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order and then pore over them to ensure the information is accurate, and try to correct any errors before you buy. If your credit score isn’t up to snuff, the easiest ways to improve it are to pay every bill on time and pay down high credit card debt.

7. Get prequalified

Meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter that says how much house you’re qualified to buy. Start gathering the paperwork your lender says it needs. Most want to see W-2 forms verifying your employment and income, copies of pay stubs, and two to four months of banking statements.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need your current profit and loss statement, a current balance sheet, and personal and business income tax returns for the previous two years.

Consider your financing options. The longer the loan, the smaller your monthly payment. Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty; an adjustable-rate mortgage offers a lower monthly payment. However, an adjustable-rate mortgage may adjust dramatically. Be sure to calculate your affordability at both the lowest and highest possible ARM rate.

* Your REALTOR* can help you with all of these steps! Just ask.