Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tommy's
Friday, December 19, 2008
VHDA Homebuyer Education Class
BUYING A HOME Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) and Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA) are in partnership to provide a free class that is designed to teach you the steps involved in purchasing a home. Topics include understanding the effect of your credit, the loan process, working with a realtor, home inspection, and budgeting. This class is beneficial to any home buyer but is a requirement to purchase an HRHA home. Call 727-1111, ext. 312 or visit http://www.vhda.com/ for details. The SPARC program provides below market rate loans (interest rate reductions) for first time homebuyers. Interest rates are 1/2% to 1% below VHDA's published First-time Homebuyer Program rates. Income limits apply. Call your lender for details. Due to funding, HRHA can only offer down payment assistance in limited situations. There is assistance for those that qualify (income limits apply) and are buying a home that HRHA is selling or a home that is located in the Pasture Point or Olde Hampton neighborhoods. You will have to obtain the financing (mortgage) from a lender. In most cases, in order to obtain a loan you will need stable income, good credit and not too many debts. Assistance is provided on an as-needed basis and depends on the house you are buying and your specific financial situation. Our homes are built in various neighborhoods throughout the city of Hampton and can be viewed on our website at http://www.hrha.org/ . These limits are determined each year by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that homeownership funding goes to those who need it most. Visit www.hrha.org/homesforsale.htm for current income limits. Income is based on all household members over 18 years old.
What is the VHDA Homebuyer Education Class?
Does HRHA have a program to help first time buyers purchase a home?
Does HRHA provide down payment and closing cost assistance?
How much down payment assistance can I get?
Where are HRHA homes built?
Why do you use income limits?
What are the income limits?
REHAB A HOME
Is there a program that can help with repairs to my home? HRHA has a home rehabilitation program for Hampton city residents that is based on household income and the equity in your home. You must also own and occupy the home as your principal residence. The goal of this program is to correct city code related issues. Call 727-1111, ext. 312 for details.
Does HRHA offer a grant to fix my home? No. Our rehab program only makes loans to cover the cost of rehabilitation. Some loans, do not have payments and, in some cases, are forgiven over a period of time.
What other programs are offered through the Community Development Department? We have a Wheelchair Ramp, Exterior Improvement and Emergency Grant program. Income limits and program guidelines apply. Call 727-1111, ext. 312 for details.
Here's Your Starting Line.
Are you thinking about buying a home, but not sure where to start - especially in challenging economic times? VHDA's free First Time Homebuyer Class can help.
In one day of training, you'll learn the entire homebuying process from start to finish, and how to stay on track as a responsible homeowner. The class is offered in English or Spanish, in person or online. And it's free, with no obligation.
Personal Finances and Credit Reports
Role of the Lender
Working with your Real Estate Agent
Home Inspections
Closing your Mortgage Loan
Homebuyer Options
- Schedule of Homeownership Classes
- Online Classes
- Clases en español
- Household Spending Plan
- Contact Us
Please Note:
Although online classes are available, some loan programs - such as SPARC (Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities) and NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) - require classroom training. Classroom training offers the added benefits of interactive discussion
with industry experts who can answer any questions and help you create a spending plan.
Be sure to contact the organization offering the loan program you are interested in to determine the specific homeownership education qualification requirements.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Ship's Cabin
GREAT FOOD MEETS GREAT ATMOSPHERE
The finest Gourmet Italian Cuisine along with the best and freshest seafood in the area. All our dishes are prepared to order and made from scratch. We offer something for everyone. We are a 9 time winner of "Best of Norfolk", and there's a reason why....come and see for yourself.
SHIP'S CABIN
4110 EAST OCEAN VIEW AVE., NORFOLK, VA 23518
757-362-0060 FAX: 757-362-0059
Friday, November 14, 2008
East Beach Holiday Home Tour
2008 EAST BEACH HOLIDAY PORCH TOUR
DECEMBER 6TH & 7TH
The 3rd Annual Holiday Home Tour will take place on December 6th and 7th at East Beach, featuring beautifully decorated homes in the mid-Atlantic's most heralded New Urbanist waterfront community. Visitors will enjoy carriage rides, walks on the beach, entertainment, and holiday shopping at our gift gallery.
Interestingly, I picked up a copy of Chesapeake Bay today to see what creek the cover referred to, and found that the article referred to Little Creek, East Beach, and the entire Ocean View area. Here is an excerpt from the article.
Ocean View Renaissance
Little Creek and East Beach are at one end of the long stretch of shore that runs about six miles east to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The success of East Beach is mirrored by the renaissance of the entire stretch, known as Ocean View.
Anyone who grew up in Hampton Roads remembers Ocean V
Old Ocean View flourished for half a century, then died as seedy neighborhoods and motels moved in after World War II. But about 15 years ago, the turnaround began. And now memories are being cherished and revived. In March, in the new Pretlow Branch of the Norfolk Public Library (another example of the Ocean View revival) the Ocean View Station Museum opened. The museum (757-531-0445; www.ovsm.org) is decorated with dozens of black-and-white photographs from the town’s heyday and includes, as its centerpiece, a restored roller coaster car.
When I was a little kid, the only thing left of the Ocean View this article talks about was the amusement park. One of my favorite old family pics is of me and my cousin as toddlers riding a merry-go-round at Ocean View while my mom stands off to one side, her arm and her handbag visible in the picture, my cousin looking gleeful on his horse. The park was demolished in 1979 and I think closed way before that. I have no real memories of it; I was so young when we went that the picture is the only way I know I was there. I still like Ocean View, a
View Larger Map
The East Beach Holiday Porch Tour is sponsored by the Hope House, which also sponsors the Stockley Gardens Art Festival, which I finally went to back in May.
East Beach and Hope House Foundation invite you to capture some holiday spirit during the East Beach Holiday Porch Tour on Dec. 6 and 7. The event is free and open to the public. Hours are Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The porches along the avenues of East Beach will be lit and decorated for the holidays. Everyone is invited to enjoy a walking tour or a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride through the neighborhood along with music, carolers and Santa. Plus, there are plenty of children’s activities in Santa’s workshop. The festivities start at 4487 Pleasant Avenue and wind through the neighborhood to the Bay Front Club, where you can get a head start on holiday shopping at the Holiday Gift Gallery. It will be filled with local artisans and specialty shops selling one-of-a-kind gifts and home décor items. The East Beach Holiday Porch Tour brings people from all over Hampton Roads to enjoy entertainment and southern hospitality. Neighbors will serve hot chocolate and refreshments from the porches and other refreshments will be available from local vendors. East Beach is situated on 100 acres along the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk. Surrounded by water, the neighborhood is fashioned after classic Southeastern seaboard coastal villages. The master plan for this $400 million development includes 700 residences, neighborhood restaurants, boutique shops, a Bay Front Club and offices. Public space, walking paths and bay front greens enhance the vistas and create open spaces for the beachfront community. Boating, fishing and water sports of all types are steps away from the neighborhood. East Beach is a unique initiative between the developers, East Beach Company LLC, the City of Norfolk and Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority.