Tina in Virginia - Hampton Roads Real Estate

Sucking Up to Buyer-Agents...Our #1 Customers

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:50:22 -0600

Buyer-agents sell 100% of our listings. Yes, the buyers may find our properties online; perhaps even through our marketing efforts...but buyers don't bring us contracts; their agents do.

When we decided to treat co-brokes as customers ("guests" in our "homes"), our business model changed dramatically. Buyer-agents now call us WANTING to sell our properties - they tell their fellow agents and we've built a "following", if you will, of repeat "customer-agents".

Yes, transactions can get sticky; even downright ugly. Our tongues can bleed from biting them so hard. But, we each represent our clients and our goal is to look out for their best interests...ahead of our own.

A few months ago, we came up with a list to help us offer a better customer experience for our fellow agents. By no means do we feel we have reinvented the wheel; however, it has definitely helped our business. Also, we review each of these items with our sellers; since they are our clients and we work for them.

1. WE WILL make sure our listings are easy to access and show. We keep a "hidden" lock box nearby just in case an agent leaves a key inside or a termite inspector needs to run by the house to do a reinspect in order to close on time. We ensure all properties have utilities on and have lights for night showings.

2. WE WILL ensure that making appointments to show our listings is easy. Phone, text or email - whichever works best for the buyer's agent.

3. WE WON'T participate in dual agency. Our sellers deserve our "undivided representation". Buyer agents will know that a special commission arrangement will not be noted on our listings.

4. WE WON'T bug buyer-agents with phone calls requesting feedback. Like Seth Godin says, "A phone call is an interruption". We send a short, 4 question email asking for feedback at their convenience. When the survey is filled out, we send a thank you, whether the feedback is positive or negative.

5. WE WILL do our best to overcome buyer objections and be creative. Adding a wall, installing another closet or changing a paint color can be a lot less expensive for a seller than 90 more days on the market.

6. WE WILL present any and all offers in a timely fashion and get responses quickly. Showing a property and writing an offer takes a lot of time and effort. We respect that.

7. WE WON'T say, "That's not our job". Our closing coordinator helps the co-broke agents. Yes, we will send the contract to the buyer's attorney. Yes, we make sure all parties who are supposed to have the new addendum, receive it. We realize that buyer-agents are out showing property and aren't always able to stop and re-send a fax or pull up a phone number.

8. WHEN WE screw up, we will admit it and try our best to fix it. If that means we have to pay for a re-inspect, a home warranty or a new refrigerator, so be it. Our goal is the closing table, not a big ego.

9. WE WILL have a title search done prior to listing to avoid title issues delaying closing.

10. WE WILL make their day. At then end of it all, whether it's flowers, a gift card or a handwritten note, the buyer's agent will know that no matter how difficult the transaction, we appreciate their business and selling our listing.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

The ALL757 Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.

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Home for Sale in Lamberts Point Norfolk Virginia

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:31:00 -0600

Ranch Home Near ODU in Norfolk

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description
Video
Neighborhood

$124,800

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Interior: 1000 sqft

Location

1343 West 41st Street
Norfolk, VA 23508

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale

Long & Foster Oceanfront
(+1) 757-287-6338 Call now
tina@tinamerritt.com
http://www.tinamerritt.com

Listed by: Long and Foster Real Estate

Our recent listings

Ranch Home Near ODU in Norfolk
Beautifully Renovated Home in Norfolk
Adorable and Affordable Home in Norfolk!
Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake
Looking for Owner Financing?

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Renovated Home for Sale in Estabrook Norfolk VA

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:05:54 -0600

Beautifully Renovated Home in Norfolk

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description
Video
Neighborhood

$189,800

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Interior: 1450 sqft
Lot: 0.25 acre(s)

Location

3753 Henrico Street
Norfolk, VA 23513

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale

Long & Foster Oceanfront
(+1) 757-287-6338 Call now
tina@tinamerritt.com
http://www.tinamerritt.com

Listed by: Long and Foster Real Estate

Our recent listings

Beautifully Renovated Home in Norfolk
Ranch Home Near ODU in Norfolk
Adorable and Affordable Home in Norfolk!
Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake
Looking for Owner Financing?

Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Norfolk, VA real estate for sale

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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The Dirtiest Hotels of 2010 - Virginia Beach has 2 in the Top 10! Ouch!

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:33:00 -0600

Trip Advisor came out today with their popular Dirtiest Hotels list for 2010. I'm always curious to see who makes this list so I can be sure to avoid them. Often, the hotels are in large cities San Francisco, New York, Chicago and the like. Unfortunately, this year, 2 hotels in the Top 10 (actually, in the Top 5!) were right in my real estate market!

Here is the list:

1. Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California

2. Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri

3. Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia

4. Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia

5. Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

6. New York Inn, New York City, New York

7. Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida

8. Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, California

9. Desert Lodge, Palm Springs, California

10. Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Hopefully, these hotels will clean up their act and get this big black spot off of the Virginia Beach resort area. As one of my favorite clients said, "You don't have to have money to be clean".

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Affordable Town Home for Sale in Virginia Beach

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:17:17 -0600

Affordable Town Home in Virginia Beach

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Video

$124,800

Townhouse
For Sale

Main Features

2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
1 Partial Bathroom
1 Unit
Interior: 1000 sqft

Location

1240 Green Cedar Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23453

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale

Long & Foster Oceanfront
(+1) 757-287-6338 Call now
tina@tinamerritt.com
http://www.tinamerritt.com

Listed by: Long and Foster Real Estate

Our recent listings

Affordable Town Home in Virginia Beach
Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake
Adorable and Affordable Home in Norfolk!
Spacious and Affordable Home in Norfolk
Renovated Ranch Home in Norfolk

Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Virginia Beach, VA real estate for sale

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Want Affordable Health Insurance? Go Back to School!

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:40:41 -0600

I was reading an article this past weekend which highlighted a self-employed couple who owned a small restaurant in southern Virginia. They were quoted as saying they pay over $2000/month for health insurance. The couple is "stuck" in the age of being too young to retire, but too old to be easily employable since both have manufacturing backgrounds.

That got me to thinking about other options. First off, there's the option of going to work for a large employer (such as Walmart) that offers a good, low cost health care plan for all employees. I suppose the ugly blue vest is a small price to pay for great health insurance.

There's also the option of going back to school. Almost all colleges offer an affordable, a group health insurance plan. In addition, many colleges have their own health care clinic open to students which is paid for through tuition and fees. Yes, college can be expensive, but many state schools are pretty affordable and you only need enroll in one course to qualify for the health insurance. Keep in mind that many students qualify for the federal student loan program and older students may qualify for other financial benefits. In addition, most colleges also have other benefits included in the student fees such as use of the workout facilities, gym classes and the like.

For an example of the health insurance benefits, here is a link to GM-Southwest, which provides coverage for many colleges.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Looking to Get Out of Debt in 2010? A Free Online Tool...

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:02:58 -0600

Many people have had a hard time financially in 2009. Good people who have always paid their bills on time. There has been a lot of "robbing Peter to pay Paul" going on, paying for necessities with credit cards and making attempts to cut even the smallest costs to get by.

Unfortunately, credit card debt has become the norm in American Society. The interest rates are huge and penalties even worse. The average consumer is carrying $12,000 in credit card debt with an interest rate of 27%. That can take years to pay off. The recent legislation regarding credit card fees has caused interest rates on revolving credit to increase and the rates look to go even higher in 2010.

There are a lot of companies out there offering debt management or debt relief. Most of these companies charge a high upfront fee and then a monthly fee. Some attempt to get the debt charged off and then settled for a portion of what is owed and others try to get the debt managed into affordable payments. Before signing on with any of these companies, it is highly recommended that you research the company selected and search for complaints against them.

CCCS is the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. They are a non-profit agency and have been around for over 50 years and have over 60 offices in the United States. You can download a copy of their brochure by clicking here.

After being overwhelmed with consumers seeking debt relief, CCCS expanded and became Apprisen Financial Advocates. They have launched an online debt management and counseling service called WEBVISOR. The WEBVISOR system is a very easy to use system where the consumer can remain completely anonymous. The process is totally free and takes about 30 minutes. Once completed, WEBADVISOR will immediately provide an action plan that summarizes your financial situation, options to improve your finances and other resources for help. The WEBVISOR system will also let you know if you are a candidate for a Debt Management Program.

Through the Debt Management Program offered by Apprisen, they will act on behalf of the consumer working to get a mutually agreed upon payment plan which may include lower interest rates and reduced fees. The service is very affordable with a $25 set up fee and $25/month maintenance fee (these fees can also be waived due to hardship). Most plans are set up to have debts paid off within 48 months.

Appisen also offers financial counseling in person and over the phone. Just remember....to make the debt go away, you must address it.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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HUD to Help Homeowners with Defective Drywall

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:22:11 -0600

HUD has issued a press release stating that they are now offering assistance to homeowners with FHA loans who have defective drywall.

HUD has instructed FHA approved lenders to offer special forbearance to homeowners faced with financial hardship due to the effects of defective drywall.

“We’re instructing our FHA mortgage lenders nationwide to extend temporary relief to allow these families time to remove problem damaging drywall and repair their homes,” said FHA Commissioner David Stevens. “We want to remove additional pressures for these families as they find solutions to allow them to return to a safe, decent and sanitary home."

HUD has stated that while a homeowner is under the special forbearance plan (which can last for up to 12 months), the lender cannot charge late fees if the homeowner is making timely payments.

The entire press release can be viewed by clicking here.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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The Art Institute Opens in Virginia Beach

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:18:59 -0600

The Art Institute recently opened a campus in Virginia Beach and will officially hold it's first day of classes there on January 11, 2010.

Located at 2 Columbus Center, the campus is conveniently located in the Virginia Beach Town Center.

"The Art Institutes schools have earned a strong, national reputation for excellence in creative arts education, and we look forward to bringing our signature culinary, fashion, design, and media arts programs to Virginia Beach," says John Mazzoni, president of The Art Institutes. “We see our expansion in the Virginia Beach community as a great opportunity to provide an inspiring environment to a new, creative class of students, while preparing them well to enter the workforce.”

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach will offer the following programs:

Advertising
Culinary Arts Management
Fashion and Retail Management
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Media Arts and Animation
Photographic Imaging
Web Design and Interactive Media

For more information, call the Art Institute of Virginia Beach at: 877-437-4428 or click here to visit their website.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Floyd E. Kellam High School to Move to New Site

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:22:00 -0600

The little country high school that could.....

Once remotely removed from the hustle and bustle of Virginia Beach development, Kellam High School stood solid as the "Green Line" approached and neighborhoods sprouted all around it in the past 25 years. Built in 1962, Kellam High School, one of the City's most popular schools, became overcrowded and outdated.

In the beginning of this month, a new, 108 acre site was chosen for the new Kellam High School. Located at the corner of West Neck Rd. and North Landing Rd., the new site will allow for a larger school, more parking and spacious athletic fields. This new location is more than three times the size of the current site.

The land already has utilities present so development should move forward once the sale is closed and the design is formalized.

Rising high school students going to Kellam beware...the Municipal Center area is speeding ticket central and with the increased traffic from the new school, will probably become even more so. Also, the question arises regarding the need to expand North Landing and Princess Anne Roads...will this ever happen?

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Another Hurdle Overcome in Jordan Bridge Replacement

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:09:39 -0600

On Friday, the United States Coast Guard gave it's approval for a $100 million dollar replacement for the Jordan Bridge. The existing Jordan Bridge has been closed since November, 2008.

The plan is to have the new bridge constructed by the middle of 2011. The new bridge will also have a new toll of $2.00.

The new Jordan Bridge will be 145 feet high. This is not acceptable to some in the area's shipping industry. They feel that larger and more modern ships will not be able to clear the new bridge. The bridge's developer, Figg Bridge, did widen the bridge's horizontal clearance in response to complaints in the original design.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, building the bridge any higher is not possible due to I-464 and a SPSA plant adjacent to the bridge.

Area residents and businesses who have relied on the Jordan Bridge in the past should be pleased to learn that the replacement will be completed in approximately 18 months.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Speechless Saturday....Winter Storm in Blacksburg, VA

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:25:38 -0600

This was taken after it had been snowing for about 2 hours....we ended up with 15 1/2 inches. The forecast is calling for more snow this afternoon. Interstate 81 southbound was shut down due to the storm. Graduation ceremonies for Radford University were canceled; however, the ceremonies for Virginia Tech took place as planned.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Affordable Ranch Home for Sale in Norfolk, VA

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:55:26 -0600

Renovated Ranch Home in Norfolk

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description
Video

$154,800

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1100 sqft

Location

6152 Wayne Circle
Norfolk, VA 23513

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale

Long & Foster Oceanfront
(+1) 757-287-6338 Call now
tina@tinamerritt.com
http://www.tinamerritt.com

Listed by: Long and Foster Real Estate

Our recent listings

Renovated Ranch Home in Norfolk
Affordable Beach Cottage in Virginia Beach!
Adorable and Affordable Home in Norfolk!
Spacious and Affordable Home in Norfolk
Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake

Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Norfolk, VA real estate for sale

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Brick Ranch Home for Sale in Chesapeake Virginia $234,800

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:28:25 -0600

Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description

$234,800

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1473 sqft

Location

808 Contrell Ct.
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Homes for Sale

Long & Foster Oceanfront
(+1) 757-287-6338 Call now
tina@tinamerritt.com
http://www.tinamerritt.com

Listed by: Long and Foster Real Estate

Our recent listings

Updated Ranch Home in Virginia Beach
Brick Ranch Home on Culdesac in Chesapeake
Spacious and Affordable Home in Norfolk
Adorable and Affordable Home in Norfolk!
Looking for Owner Financing?

Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Chesapeake, VA real estate for sale

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Social Media at the Beach!

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:54:12 -0600

January 23, 2010 will bring a new and exciting social media event/convention to Virginia Beach. Social Media @ the Beach will be held at Peabody's and will feature a day packed with great information for both the social media novice and expert alike.

Keynote speaker Jeff Turner will headline the event. Jeff is an internationally known social media educator and we are so fortunate to have him coming from California for our event.

Of course, in the spirit of other notable social media events and conventions, we have a designated charity: Mothers Fighting for Others (MFFO).

So, mark your calendar and visit the website to register for THE social media event in Hampton Roads for 2010!

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Dropping Out in Portsmouth

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:43:05 -0600

The Class of 2009 in Portsmouth received recognition that school officials would probably prefer to not see; they had the 2nd highest dropout rate in the State of Virginia.

The City had a 20.1% drop out rate. That is almost 3 times the State average of 7.9%.

In more promising news, the Portsmouth City Public Schools are all now fully accredited by the State. Also, the on-time graduation rate has continued to increase.

All of the Hampton Roads area school districts have at least one high school that has dropout rates higher than the State average. Virginia Beach City still has the lowest in the area at 6%, followed by Chesapeake. Suffolk and Norfolk both have dropout rates higher than the state average.

Portsmouth School officials say that reducing the number of required electives will help curb the dropout rate. Really? Seems to me that with over a fifth of the system's students dropping out, more serious measures need to be put into place. High dropout rates correlate with higher crime rates and lower community incomes. Students who dropout will cost the City more in services over the long term.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Where to Vote in Virginia?

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:58:07 -0600

Thanks to Google maps, there is now a handy map that will show Virginia residents where they need to go to vote this Election Day. Simply enter your street address and your polling place will pop up along with directions you can print out, download, etc. as well as a list of the candidates who are running.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Making a Difference - Extending your Help to Someone with a Simple Gesture

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:04:45 -0500

Via Anne Marie Malfi, Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA (Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals):

This community is full of people who are always looking to make a difference to the people who hire us to provide real estate services, in our communities or to those special people in our lives.

This idea was shared with my 11 year old daughter (Sarah) from a teacher in her school. My daughter has been actively looking for ways to get involved with more community service and this is one way she felt she could make a difference in someone's life.

If you're looking for another way to extend your help, especially this winter ~ another way you can make a difference to someone in your community, we hope you'll join us in making a difference!.

A simple gesture can make a difference, and you'll see how at the end of this short video.

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If it's not evident to you by now, consumers are very knowledgeable and computer savvy and are using the Internet to not only search for homes but for real estate agents and real estate professionals who they feel are like minded and can lead them to the results they are looking for.

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day to get it all done...are you focusing on the right stuff to grow your business and meet your client's needs? Contact us today to get started!

Ready to take your Marketing to new levels? Anne Marie Malfi ~ Malfi Marketing Solutions.com ~ Copyright 2009

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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New Updates on Extending the $8,000 tax credit for First Time Home Buyers

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:12:04 -0500

Via Kryste Adams - Central Oregon Real Estate (Fred Real Estate Group *Bend-Redmond-Sunriver-LaPine-Sisters):

Good News for First Time or Second Time Home Buyers in Bend, Oregon - Updates on Extending the $8,000 tax credit for First Time Home Buyers

According to CNBC, the extension of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is making progress. The most recent update has the $8000 tax credit extended through the end of April. In addition, the Bill will included a credit for repeat buyers (those who have lived in thier home three of the last five years) of a primary residence. Repeat buyers would recieve a $6500 credit. According to CNBC, "Senate Banking Committee Chariman Christoperh Dodd stated that a deal has been reached." Additional specifics on the "deal" have not yet been reported and the "deal" still has to pass a vote.

Stay tunned for addittional updates on the Bend, Oregon real estate market and the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading my Central Oregn Real Estate Blog!

Kryste Adams

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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International Paper Closing in Franklin

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:28:06 -0500

Isle of Wight County is about to lose a major employer. International Paper announced the closure of their plant in Franklin.

The layoffs will begin November 7th and continue through spring until the plant is permanently closed. The closure will effect 1100 employees.

Virginia is seeking aid for the workers under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. In addition to the 1100 workers, it is estimated that another 2400 workers could be hurt. Those workers include truckers, loggers, mechanics and other support service workers.

The current unemployment rate in Isle of Wight County is 7%. With the loss of these jobs, the rate may climb to 12% or higher, depending on the far reaching effects of the closure on the area's economy.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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The Separation of Family and Money

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:11:49 -0500

I heard a very sad story earlier this week.

A father opened up a savings account for his son at a local bank. The son was leaving for college and the father wanted to be able to deposit funds for his son. The account was in the names of both father and son with the father's good intention of providing spending money to his son when needed.

The son got mixed up with a bad kid. The kid opened up a checking account at another local bank. The kid wrote a bunch of checks on the checking account (which didn't have any money to cover the checks). The son deposited them into his savings account and the two of them immediately withdrew as much cash as they could.

Now, the father must file charges against his son to protect himself from being held responsible for the bad checks. The father's credit will be damaged and it will be a lot of work to get it fixed.

We always hear of nightmare stories where a parent has co-signed on a loan for a child. This story shows it can also be risky to even have a joint bank account with a child or anyone else for that matter.

Tina in Virginia

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

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Virtual RE Bar Camp is Coming!

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:02:21 -0500

Educating Real Estate Agents On How To Use Modern Technologies To Better Their Business Will Never Be The Same!

On November 17th, 2009 dozens of the most respected educators in the real estate industry converge to host the first of its kind, Virtual Real Estate BarCamp.

Virtual Real Estate BarCamp is a 1-Day Learning Extravaganza.
From 9am until 4pm PST, three concurrent webinar "rooms" will each host 9 different sessions, for a total of 27 different presentations.
There is something for everyone and everything for someone, and best of all, IT IS FREE and attendance is unlimited!

Click below to:
Register.
Learn more.
See who is coming.
Check out the Session Calendar.
Get sponsorship info.

Attendance is projected to be at least 1000 agents, nationwide.
Do not miss out on being part of this ground-breaking event.

Session topics include:

Social Media Risk Management
Flickr for Real Estate
Developing Your Brand
Online Advertising Secrets
Facebook for Real Estate
WordPress Training
Daily Goal Tracking
Starting a Real Estate Blog

...and much more, with new sessions being added every day.

And if that wasn\'t cool enough, individuals from around the country are volunteering to host In-Real-Life MeetUps for after the event.
Learn all day, and then meet to have a beer with local participants. This is going to be a blast!

We hope to see you there!

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

Visit the ALL757.com Website

Search Homes for Sale in Hampton Roads, VA

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Disclaimer

HOME Investors Partnership Program

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:51:56 -0500

The Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority oversees the HOME Investors Partnership Program. This program assists qualified residents in the City of Chesapeake with the following:

Down payment/closing cost assistance to qualified homebuyers for the purchase of affordable single family residences.

Low interest/deferred loans, to qualified homeowners, for improvements to residential structures to correct violations of applicable housing codes and standards

Low interest loans to qualified residential rental property owners for improvements to correct violations of applicable housing codes and standards

Provide homeownership and credit counseling services to homeowners who participate in the Authority’s rehabilitation loan and homeownership programs

Provided financial assistance to local Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO’s) through a 15% set aside of the Authority’s annual HOME fund allocation

For more information on this program, contact the Community Development Loan/Fair Housing Officer at CRHA. 757-523-0401 or online: www.crhava.org.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

Visit the ALL757.com Website

Search Homes for Sale in Hampton Roads, VA

Google profile

Disclaimer

Teenagers Beware! New Policy at MacArthur Center!

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:51:54 -0500

Effective October 19, 2009, unsupervised minors are no longer permitted in the MacArthur Center Mall in Downtown Norfolk after 5pm.

Yes, ID's will be checked and extra security is on hand to enforce the new regulation. Teens found in the mall unsupervised after 5pm will be escorted to their "accompanying adult" or escorted out of the mall.

According to mall officials, the new rule is to help keep shoppers safe and kids out of trouble. In recent years, the number of minors "hanging out" in the mall has grown.

Some of the businesses are not happy about the new rule. Both Nordstrom and Dillards said they will continue to allow teenagers to shop in their stores after 5pm.

Click HERE to read the new "Adult Supervision Policy" for MacArthur Center.

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Tina Merritt and the ALL757 Network can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.

Visit the ALL757.com Website

Search Homes for Sale in Hampton Roads, VA

Google profile

Disclaimer

Offender - The iPhone App to Locate Sexual Offenders

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:28:41 -0500

ThinAir Wireless has created an app that many real estate professionals may find useful. Offender is an application that searches around your current location or another address for registered sex offenders.

Since the app was released on June 2, 2009, they have seen over a million downloads. There are 2 versions: a limited free version and $1.99 for the full version. The app has also cracked the iTunes top 10 list in popularity a few times.