Mark A. Moore, ABR - Virginia Beach Real Estate

This was a great weekend for sailing. I crewed on Jim Lant's Columbia 40 out of Willoughby, and we brought home a 2nd place in our cruising class on Saturday, 3rd place on Sunday. The course was Little Creek to Bay Creek on Saturday, and Bay Creek to Buckroe on Sunday. I got a few nice shots of some nice boats. If yours is pictured here, I would be happy to e-mail you the photo in its original size.

Early on Saturday

Decent Wind

"Drama" in the Channel

Great Looking Boat

RE/MAX Alliance wins the Gold (first place) in the Best Real Estate Company category. This is a yearly poll of the Virginian Pilot newspaper's reader's choice - best of awards.

Also, our affiliated mortgage company, Regional First Mortgage, received a Silver award in the Best Mortgage Company category.

I am glad to be affiliated with "The Best".

In my local market we had a rough Fall of 07 and a very slow Spring 08. Many buyers are still holding out, either waiting for the market to "bottom out", or waiting to sell their current home. Many sellers are still thinking they have the last home that will sell for top dollar.

Looking ahead, I am recommending aggressive pricing NOW as summer approaches. If a seller heads into August without a strong contract on their home, it could be a long winter. Both the sales and rental market cool off quite a bit in mid to late August in a "non-boom" market. A seller must get aggressive soon as crunch time is around the corner.

Mark A. Moore, ABR - RE/MAX Alliance - Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach (Hampton Roads) is experiencing what feels like an October northeaster storm with 35-45 mph wind gusts and fairly substantial flooding. When the wind blows heavy out of the north or northeast we can expect the waterways to fill up and show higher than normal tides.

I saw a couple homes in Cape Story, Bay Island, and Lynnhaven Colony where they should have probably gotten out the sandbags.

No signs of global warming today.

Considering the current state of the residential real estate market, many home sellers are finding it difficult to sell their homes. An option for some might be to consider placing their homes on the rental market.

As a Agent, I can list property both for sale and for rent at the same time. Not many companies allow one agent to do both. A rental often must be referred to a separate property management department which essentially competes with the sales agent.

Many real estate agents are now looking in different directions to find new business in a changing market. Some are looking at property management as a way to make up for diminished sales commissions. Finding an agent who is experienced in, and who enjoys, residential property management can be crucial to succeeding as a rental property owner. This is especially true if one lives out of the area. I often represent military home owners who are moved out of the area, yet they keep their local home as a rental property.

NOTE: Lease / purchase options are returning as an attractive way to entice today's skittish buyer.

About Me:

1. Licensed since 1995, residential rental property manager since 1996.
2. I personally have owned rental property since 1999.
3. Member National Association of Residential Property Managers.
4. Extensive knowledge in how homes work (repairs and preventative maintenance).
5. I work with many current and formenr members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army and can provide references.
6. I have experience with attracting and obtaining Joint Forces Command (NATO) tenants.

Please click on my sign below to visit my rental page on my website: