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Sales of Existing Homes Rise in South Hampton Roads

For the third consecutive month, home sales volume inched higher than the same month last year, according to a recent story in The Virginian-Pilot.

In South Hampton Roads there are a few signs that the local housing market is improving. A driving force behind the improved numbers is first-time home buyers taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit. Also, investors are snapping up foreclosed properties with plans of renovating them.

This is great news for homeowners in South Hampton Roads, because as the market improves their home value is also increase.

"First-time home buyers and investors continued to drive sales of existing homes in South Hampton Roads last month.

Real Estate Information Network Inc. released data showing that 1,043 homes in the region sold in August. Although it fell 15.6 percent from July, the sales activity last month was 1 percent higher than the 1,033 homes that sold in August 2008, the Virginia Beach-based multiple listing service said.

It is the third consecutive month that sales volume inched higher than the same month last year, suggesting the local housing market might have reached a bottom. June was the first month with a year-over-year volume increase since January 2007.

'I think people are aware of the tax credit and aware of the low interest rates,' said Dick Thurmond, president of William E. Wood and Associates. 'So people are thinking they need to make a move now to take advantage of that.'

Any first-time home buyer or any buyer who has not owned a principal residence for three years is eligible for an $8,000 federal tax credit. Thurmond said he expects the credit to encourage many more buyers to enter the market before the incentive expires Dec. 1."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 6:47am

Free Pesticide Disposal Service for Southside Residents in 2009

A free service offered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, and the Virginia Pesticide Control Board will dispose of harmful pesticides at no cost to residents and businesses in their southside service area, according to a recent article in the Progress-Index.

The program assists agricultural producers, licensed pesticide dealers and pest control firms, golf courses and homeowners with the proper disposal of unwanted pesticides. The program is available at no cost to eligible participants. 

To administer the Pesticide Disposal Program, Virginia is subdivided into 5 regions. A pesticide disposal program is conducted annually in localities within each of the regions. Once all 5 regions have been served, the program will start another cycle. The Southside region is being serviced by the program for the remainder of 2009.

Participants should complete a pesticide disposal registration form ahead of time and return the completed form to VDACS, PO Box 1163, Richmond VA 23218. The form is available online, or by contacting Pesticide Disposal Program at (804) 786-3798.

"The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Pesticide Control Board invite farmers, pesticide dealers, pest control firms, homeowners and golf courses to participate in the 2009 pesticide disposal program, which collects unwanted, outdated, or banned pesticides and disposes of them in a safe manner. VDACS, through its Office of Pesticide Services, provides this service at no cost to participants in the designated localities.

The program is funded through pesticide product registration fees collected by OPS.

Since its inception, Virginia's Pesticide Disposal Program has collected and destroyed nearly 1.5 million pounds of outdated and unwanted pesticides, completely eliminating the environmental threat they could have posed."

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Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:40pm

Virginia Police Departments to Get $5.1 Million to Hire and Keep Officers

Image from euthmanThe Richmond Times-Dispatch reported on some news that will help to strengthen Virginia communities and keep city streets safe. Several Virginia Police Departments are receiving federal stimulus funds to support their staff.

"Petersburg, Hopewell, and the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority will benefit from more than $5.1 million in federal stimulus funds to hire and retain police officers in Virginia.

The government announced grants today of:

  • $814,800 to the Petersburg Bureau of Police, or enough to pay the salary and benefits of five officers for three years;
  • $490,560 to the Hopewell Bureau of Police, for three officers;
  • $166,505 to the RRHA Police for one officer; and
  • More than $3.6 million to police departments in Norfolk, Roanoke, Winchester, Manassas, and Emporia, for 22 officers."

Read full story.

Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 4:16pm

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Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 12:00am