A Focus on Virginia Beach Neighborhoods – Larkspur
When you are in the Mt. Trashmore area, you may notice the beautiful tree lined streets of Larkspur on the opposite side of Independence, down Edwin Drive. Established in the 60’s and part of the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, Larkspur is the quintessential family neighborhood. Sprawling single family homes line the many streets of Larkspur, set on good sized lots; well maintained and safe.
Larkspur is a community of about 800 homes along Edwin Drive and homes are flanked on either side of Edwin on the many other streets named after golf greats and golf terms. Once the builder of Larkspur, Clarence Byler saw that a new golf course had come up nearby, he named nearly all the streets after golfers. Byler was a storied local builder who named Larkspur after an impressive flower with tall spikes. He was also the gentleman who gave Edwin Drive its name in the 1950’s. Edwin Drive received its name as an ode to Byler&r ...

People across the country are beginning to think about what their life will look like next year. It happens every Fall. We ponder whether we should relocate to a different part of the country to find better year-round weather or perhaps move across the state for better job opportunities.
Homeowners in this situation must consider whether they should sell their house now or wait. If you are one of these potential sellers, here are five important reasons to do it now versus the dead of winter.
1. Demand is Strong
Foot traffic refers to the number of people out actually physically looking at home right now. The latest foot traffic numbers show that buyers are still out in force looking for their dream home. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!
As we get later into the year, many people have other things (weather, holidays, etc.) that distract them from searching for a home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the markes ...

Selling your home in the winter is hard enough without snow.
Add some frozen tundra or gray-brown slush, and you might be tempted to put that “For Sale” sign away until spring, when budding flowers and lush lawns entice buyers on their own. But waiting isn’t an option for everyone. If a job transfer or family circumstances have you on a tight timeline, you might be stuck trudging through the wintertime sell.
Don’t lose hope—winter can be a fabulous time to sell if you know how to capitalize on the market. High on the priority list: Know how to make your home stand out from all those other sad, cold houses on the block.
Winter landscaping is far from an oxymoron—it’s a necessity. Here are some easy solutions to improve the appearance of your snow-covered yard this winter.
Put in the work
Before you throw up your hands and call it a lost cause, remember this: To achieve a winter wonderland of a yard, the most important ingredient is some gm ...

Fall is the perfect time to take care of the little things that can make a big difference for you and your home. Most of the tasks listed below are well with-in the average person's ability. But even if you choose to have a professional handle them, it's worth the expense. You'll save money -- and maybe even your life. Here's a checklist at a glance.

Get your mind in the gutters. Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.

Button up your overcoat. Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.

Get on top of roof problems. Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.

Walks the walks (and drives). Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.

Chill out. Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.

Freshen your filter. Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.

Give your furnace a physical. Have a professional inspect your heating system.

Gather round the hearth. Chs ...

You don't have to slave over your lawn to keep it healthy
 
If you’re an average homeowner (and of course you’re not!), you spend 3.8 hours a week on yard work and mow your lawn 30 times a year. And while you may not realize it, your lawn pays you back for all this hard work. It serves as a giant air conditioner to help cool your home. It releases a tremendous amount of oxygen and captures tons of dirt and dust to help keep you and your family healthy. It gives you a place to play croquet. And the healthier your lawn is, the better it keeps up its end of the bargain.
 

 
 
 
The good news is, you don’t have to slave over your lawn to keep it healthy. In fact, to a great extent, it’s not the amount of work you put into your lawn—it’s when and how you do it. The following five “ingredients” are essential for a healthy lawn. We focus on northern or cool-climate grasses like bluegrass and fescue, bu ...