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 Williamsburg cityHampton Roads homeowners awarded damages in Chinese drywall case
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon ruled that all drywall in the homes should be removed. Any items that corroded as a result of the drywall -- such as pipes and appliances -- and anything damaged in the process of the removal should also be replaced. Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd., the company that manufactured the drywall, did not respond to the lawsuit. Read more in The Virginian-Pilot.... Posted on Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 9:43pm
Virginia unemployment rate lower than national averageThe Virginia Employment Commission has released a report detailing employment statistics across the Commonwealth. Experts say that the job market has a direct impact on the housing market -- good jobs allow homeowners to pay the mortgage and stay in their homes. Poor job markets can lead to declining property values. Virginia’s unemployment rate was 7.7% in February, lower than the national rate of 10.4%. Read more in local news outlets....
Posted on Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 8:29am
Hampton Roads area budget cuts -- a rundownLocal governments in the Hampton Roads area are each handling budget cuts in their own way. Read the high points in this article from the Daily Press.... Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:10am
Technology helps citizens participate in governmentLocal governments and school districts are turning to technology in an effort to keep citizens abreast of issues and to gather their input. Their efforts have been largely successful, with localities not
Read more at the Daily Press Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 12:20pm
James City Considering Tax, Fee Increases to Fill $4.6 million Budget Gap
Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 11:36am
Newport News City Council Clears the Way for Mixed-Use Development Project
Developments of this type are known as "mixed-use", meaning that they combine different types of zoning classifications. Traditionally, commercial and residential development are planned for in geographically separate areas. Most often the goal of mixed use design is to decrease traffic by locating the projects near major transportation hubs (such as Metro in Washington, D.C.). Mixed use developments are also appealing to buyers that prefer to be in very close proximity to stores and restaurants, usually within walking distance. They are becoming increasingly common as localities become more flexible with their zoning ordinances. These developments can affect property values positively or negatively, depending on how they are constructed and the impact on surrounding infrastructure.
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 2:49pm
New Developments in Hampton Roads Effort to Expand Midtown Tunnel
Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 1:21pm
Federal Stimulus Money to Assist Peninsula Families Struggling to Avoid Homelessness
Some localities in the Peninsula received federal stimulus money to help prevent homelessness for some area residents who are struggling, according to the Daily Press. The funds will be used for rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments and credit repair. This is good news for all residents in these areas because preventing homelessness is cheaper than correcting it. Also, preventing homelessness can protect property values. "As part of the federal stimulus package, nearly $1.4 million has come to the Peninsula to help stem the tide of growing homelessness associated with the lingering economic recession. Government and nonprofit agencies in Hampton, Newport News, York, Poquoson, James City County and Williamsburg recently began disbursing funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program. The six localities evenly split about $727,000. A secondary pot of money totaling more than $659,000 was allotted specifically for Newport News, said Joy Cipriano, director of property and resource development for the Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board, the agency administering the grant funds. The money is specifically earmarked for such things as rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments, and credit repair. It is not targeted for the chronically homeless, Cipriano said. 'The money is for helping people that were otherwise stable and making it. But, due to loss of a job or reduction of income, can't meet rent payments,' Cipriano said. 'It's cheaper to prevent homelessness than correct it once it happens.' Cipriano said the federal government has instituted strict guidelines about how the money can be used and is requiring stringent reporting to make sure the funds are spent appropriately." Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010 - 1:49pm
Hampton Roads Home Sales Soared While Prices Slid Last Month
The Virginian-Pilot reported some good news about the housing market in Hampton Roads. Home sales in the area soared while buyers rushed to beat the deadline for the first-time buyers federal tax credit. The tax credit has been extended, and expanded to include current homeowners who wish to move into a different home. Get details about the current federal tax credits for home buyers that expire on April 30, 2010. "Home sales in South Hampton Roads soared as prices slid during November as first-time buyers rushed to beat the now-extended deadline for a federal tax credit, according to a report released Wednesday. Last month's sales volume was up 5.1 percent from October and 87 percent over November 2008, according to Real Estate Information Network Inc. The Virginia Beach-based multiple listing service reported 1,164 homes in the region sold in November, compared with 623 a year earlier. Despite increased sales, home prices continued to fall, partly reflecting activity by first-time buyers at the low end of the market. The multiple listing service reported that the median price for existing homes in November was $199,950, down 7 percent from a year ago and at the lowest point in 10 months. November marked the six month in a row of growth in local home sales and the biggest year-over-year gain in 2009. The rebound contrasts with the market a year ago, when sales were plummeting amid deteriorating economic conditions." Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 10:26pm
Hampton Roads Area Having a Top-10 Year for Rainfall
Hampton Roads has experiences it's rainiest year since 2003, acording to the Virginian Pilot. The increase in rainfall will hopefully have a great impact on the area's agriculture. "Hampton Roads officially broke into the top 10 wettest years on record with the recent heavy rainfall. The region's 2009 rainfall total moved into the No. 6 spot, overtaking the 1937 amount of 59.7 inches, said Craig Moeller, meteorologist for WVEC-TV. At 5 p.m. Wednesday, 60.75 inches of rain had been measured for the year in Norfolk, according to the National Weather Service in Wakefield. 'This is the most rain we’ve had since 2003,' Moeller said. That year, the National Weather Service measured 61.76 inches of rain at the Norfolk airport and ranked it the fifth wettest year." Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 10:15pm
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A federal judge has awarded seven Hampton Roads homeowners a total of $2.6 million for damages stemming from the use of tainted drywall in the construction of their homes.
