Bethany Phillips, MBA, ABR, EcoBroker

Here are a few notes about the new stimulus package that may help you get stimulated. Whether or not you agree with the spending included in the package, energy efficiency improvements are a good thing. On the smallest scale, they help homeowners save money every day! Hopefully this will get you stimulated to make energy efficiency improvements in your office or home!

• $6.3 billion for energy efficiency in multifamily housing getting federal assistance, such as HUD-sponsored low-income housing
• $5 billion to weatherize more than 1 million homes owned by "modest-income" families.
• $4.5 billion to increase the energy efficiency of federal buildings
• $2 billion to increase the tax credit for hybrid cars to $7,500
• $1.4 billion for bonds to carry out state and local renewable energy and conservation projects
• $500 million to train workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy
• $300 million for consumer rebates for energy-efficient appliances
• $268 million to remove caps on a 30 percent residential credit for solar, wind, and geothermal

Looking for an energy efficient home? Consult an EcoBroker! I am one! Search for homes in Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth and beyond, on my website!

Just a reminder for those who are interested in a little candlelight this weekend! EARTH Hour will be held Saturday night at 8:30 pm. Turn out the lights! Save Energy! Save Money!

At least one area restaurants is participating too - Croc's EcoBistro at the Oceanfront. Check em out! They are certified by Virginia Green as a 'green destination! Plus they have reallyl good food and drinks!

Also, A BIG THANK YOU to my lovely clients who thanked me with a surprise! Aa wonderful Parker pen -- to sign contracts in style in they say! What a joy they were to work with even if the transaction was a struggle at times -- not their fault! Just the challenges of the market, lender rules, etc.

Anyway, whatever you do, think of me if you are considering real estate in Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk or beyond! Happy to help.

Search for homes on line!

Just a quick note that TODAY, Tuesday, March 10th, the City of Norfolk is voting for the interim commonweath attorney. Two candidates are in the race. Use your regular polling station. You may not think this is important, but all elections are a process that require participation from registered voters -- Do it! It will only take a minute! No long lines like November 4th!

Also, March 14th there will be an adoption day from Noon-4pm for Beagles to the Rescue. Our fabulous Foster, Maize will be in attendance! She is a gorgeous lady of a certain age. Absolutely the most lovable beagle dog. Her fur is so soft, I could run my fingers through it all day! Her eyes speak volumes, asking to be loved and showing her appreciation for all attention received! She enjoys walking with our two young girls (she cant quite keep the pace they would set, but she doesn't give up!), but is happy to sit and keep you company all day too!

Here she is in her favorite basket!

Well, I didn't want to do it, but I felt it was best...

I received my first lead through ACTIVE RAIN!

I couldn't take it! :( The potential client was coming into town in a couple of weeks with family members. Her daughter and fiancee are going to be buying a home in Hampton Roads, following his assignment to Portsmouth for work.

Unfortunately, being out of town that weekend, I would not have the opportunity to meet them, show property, or otherwise develop a relationship with them.

So I turned this lead over to someone else in my office. She was very appreciative and I know she will take excellent care of these buyers. I think I did the right thing...

I hope for other leads through activerain!

This a perfect time to ask if you can get help selling your home -- especially if you are military personnel.

As part of the new stimulus package, there is assitance for our military families who have purchase a home recently and are now trying to sell. In this market, lets take all the help given!

Here is the excerpt from the Virginian-Pilot and a link to the full article.

The assistance
Under a provision in the stimulus package, military service members who are given orders and must sell their homes for less than market value could receive compensation of up to 95 percent of the loss in value, if the homes were purchased before July 1, 2006.

Need additional information on home selling in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk? I look forward to assisting you.