I am not really sure that seller’s in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and other Hampton Roads communities understand the potential danger and “fear” that buyers may have when considering homes that have asbestos especially those where it has deteriorated and become potentially “airborne”.

“Friable Asbestos” can be defined as:  When asbestos is crushed it disperses a dusting of microscopic fibers in the air that can remain for very long periods of time. These fibers can be unknowingly inhaled and permanently lodged in lung and other body tissues, yet symptoms might not appear for 20 years or more. Inhaling the fibers has been linked to cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease similar in symptoms to emphysema.   Unfortunately there is no known safe level of exposure, which is why asbestos remains a concern today.

Homeowners considering removing asbestos themselves may want to read the cautionary and directions provided by the EPA - most likely you will then be educated and hire a professional certified in this type of work.

As a new real estate homeowner or potential seller, it is not likely that you are acquainted with the inner materials of a home.

However, most Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampton Roads buyers seek an updated home inspection before closing on a new property.

It is important to reassure buyers that the home is safe and does not contain any potential health hazards. These inspections are critical to clearing hurdles down the road that may slow the sale of property.

One of the most common surprises new homeowners and sellers confront is asbestos in older structures.

Indeed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are now banned for use in the United States but many older buildings still contain these products, which are generally safe, but homeowners should be aware of where they are and when they become hazardous.

Asbestos was included in thousands of construction products and still exists in nearly 80% of homes built prior to 1978.

Common asbestos materials include attic insulation, ceiling tiles, and pipe lining.

Asbestos was particularly adept at insulation and prevention of temperature transfer and was used extensively until adverse health effects began to manifest in those who worked with the material frequently.

It is only when asbestos containing materials are compromised or very old that they become hazardous.

Asbestos products under these conditions are rendered “friable.” Home inspection companies should be able to identify these circumstances and advise you on a course of action. When asbestos material is friable, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, potentially endangering those in the area.

Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the body’s inner tissue and have been conclusively linked to the rare cancer, mesothelioma, commonly referred to as asbestos cancer, in addition to many other respiratory disorders.

There are few options for mesothelioma treatment or curative therapies for other conditions caused by sustained asbestos exposures. Homeowners need to be aware of potential hazards that may exist so they may be able to avoid potentially harmful effects of hazardous asbestos.

Again, most asbestos containing materials will not pose an immediate hazard and an informed buyer will not be turned off by their presence if they’re reassured of their safety by a professional opinion.

These simple precautions can be taken to assure that both sides know that they and their families will be happy and healthy in their new home.

Read also:

Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampton Roads Home Health Safety Check

]]> http://www.dennisblackmore.com/homeowners-should-be-aware-of-asbestos-hazards/feed/ http://www.dennisblackmore.com/new-construction-real-estate-virginia-beach-under-200000/ http://www.dennisblackmore.com/new-construction-real-estate-virginia-beach-under-200000/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:10:27 +0000 Dennis Blackmore http://www.dennisblackmore.com/?p=1417 Are you in the market for a new construction real estate in Virginia Beach?

Below you will find information of new construction homes under $200,000.

First Time homebuyers can use their $8000.00 tax credit to make this a very affordable option. See how the $8000.00 Tax Credit works for First Time Real Estate Home Buyers.

See why now is a good time to buy real estate.

Do not pay for foreclosure or other real estate services that charge for address and other information. If you have a question - just ask.

Why not just get the up to date foreclosure real estate listings just sent to your inbox?

Or configure your own real estate feed based on what home amenities you desire.

Subscribe for the Chesapeake Real Estate foreclosure feed here.

See how the $8000.00 Tax Credit works for First Time Real Estate Home Buyers - You must purchase before December 1, 2009.

Why you need a home inspection for a foreclosure or any real estate purchase.

Maybe you should consider a Home Warranty when purchasing foreclosure properties or other real estate.

Do not pay for foreclosure or other real estate services that charge for address and other information.    If you have a question - just ask.

Why not just get the up to date foreclosure real estate listings just sent to your inbox?

Or configure your own real estate feed based on what home amenities you desire.

Subscribe for the Virginia Beach Real Estate foreclosure feed here.

See how the $8000.00 Tax Credit works for First Time Real Estate Home Buyers - You must purchase before December 1, 2009.

Why you need a home inspection for a foreclosure or any real estate purchase.

Maybe you should consider a Home Warranty when purchasing foreclosure properties or other real estate.

This is perfect for the first time home buyer or a real estate investor.

Virginia Beach First time home buyers must take advantage of the $8000.00 tax credit before December 1, 2009. See all the listings here……..

Be an informed Virginia Beach real estate buyer with this information below

What are Closing Costs and can I get help with them? (Yes)

The importance of the home inspection

Should you consider a home warranty?

The value of your REALTOR(R)

Real Estate prices vary in the neighborhood from the $500’s well up into millions.

Just minutes from the oceanfront, fine restaurants, and bordered by Princess Anne Country Club the community has everything going for it.

From older brick ranches to modern transitional and contemporary homes there is something for everyone’s desires.

Bay Colony is served by Virginia Beach Schools (Cox, Virginia Beach Middle) and the private school Cape Henry is not far from the community.

First Landing (old Sea Shore) State Park is nearby and the Cape Henry Lighthouse just up the road.

Solds reflected below are for the 150 days as reported by the Real Estate Information Network.

Deemed accurate time of posting but not guaranteed.  Consult your REALTOR(R) for additional information.

Status Address List Price Entered BR FB HB SqFt Year WF Price Sale Off Market MT
PEND 1013 WINDSOR ROAD 534,995 12/31/2008 4 3 0 2415 1982 N 4/14/2009 104
SOLD 2601 MOSS RD 399,000 7/1/2008 3 2 0 1502 1956 N 390,000 4/15/2009 289
SOLD 1116 BRUTON LANE 475,000 2/12/2009 3 2 1 2005 1959 Y 463,500 3/11/2009 27
SOLD 2604 BROAD BAY ROAD 525,000 11/24/2008 4 2 1 2329 1983 N 490,000 1/29/2009 68
SOLD 1109 WINDSOR ROAD 569,500 1/9/2009 4 3 0 2750 1950 N 530,000 1/20/2009 11
SOLD 2605 MOSS ROAD 671,000 10/6/2008 3 2 1 2100 1960 Y 535,000 1/8/2009 94
SOLD 613 LINKHORN DRIVE 1,000,000 5/2/2008 3 3 1 3147 1971 N 822,000 4/1/2009 335
SOLD 149 OLD TULLS CREEK RD. 219,900 1/16/2009 3 2 0 1500 2008 N 219,000 3/2/2009 45

You can now use the home search feature on this site to search for foreclosures throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads with real estate ease.

Put in your Virginia Beach or anywhere in Hampton Roads real estate parameters and the search engine will bring up the latest foreclosures available for viewing.   Give it a try.

Are you considering buying real estate in the next 5 years?   If so, now may be the perfect time with historical low interest rates (1950’s style), the first time homebuyer tax credit (expires Dec 1, 2009), job loss protection, plus an abundant supply of real estate properties to view.

Do I think Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads real estate values are at bottom - I cannot predict this.

But I can  predict that interest rates will go up and that erodes real estate buying power and could disqualify some people from buying.

FHA is coming out with a program to allow the $8000.00 tax credit to be used as a down payment.  Watch for this.  VA buyers still have 100 percent financing available…….

The greatest real estate enhanced search engine has arrived and ready for you to use - FREE.

You can customize searches, save searches, foreclosure searches, develop RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feeds, and much more.

Go ahead, give it a look now.

New HAP Real Estate Guidelines:

With the expansion, the Pentagon can now provide partial reimbursement for home-sale losses to other groups. Note that the highest priority is wounded warriors who relocate for medical treatment or medical retirement due to their disability and surviving spouse homeowners.

The priority order for the benefits are as follows:

– Wounded service members relocating for treatment or medical retirement, and for the surviving family members of those who have died while on deployment.

– Military and Defense Department civilian employees affected by BRAC without the need to prove whether the base closure or the general housing market decline caused the loss.

– Normal permanent change of station moves, but only on a retroactive basis that covers PCS moves between July 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2009.

Also:

For a member to qualify under the new rule, not only would the individual need to personally experience a 10% loss between the purchase price and sale price of their home, but the home must also be in a housing market area that has also suffered a 10% or greater decline.

All active and former members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as DoD civilians who have sold a home since 2006 may visit the Homeowners Assistance Program Website to learn specific program criteria and eligibility.

The Government wants private real estate sales to take place versus acquiring them.

Set the allowable private sale reimbursment to 90% of Prior Fair Market Value for PCS move beneficiaries.

With only 555 Million appropriated the money may not last long.  What is not clear is whether service member closing costs/fees are included in this or are a separate reimbursement.  This item could impact home owners needing to sell under this program.

You can read more about the program here.

End of update

Help is on the way for Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads real esate home owners with the latest stimulus plan as reported by the Virginia Pilot online.

The stimulus provision is titled the Military Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

The stimulus signed into law by President Obama February 17th, will be extended to certain military homeowners who bought homes before July 1, 2006 and who sell the homes before Sept. 30, 2012.  Read eligibility here………

HAP was originally written in response to rising foreclosures and the credit crisis, and seeks to add more than $400 million to help military homeowners who are in the middle of foreclosure, or unable to sell their homes in the event of a permanent change of station order.

More information on the HAP will be forthcoming.

As of this posting, HAP executors have not received guidance or implementation directives.  Some items to consider:

1. Permanent reassignment requires move of more than 50 miles.

2. Reassignment ordered between 1 February 2006 and 30 September 2012 (or earlier date designated by Secretary of Defense).

3. Property purchased (or contract to purchase signed) before 1 July 2006.

4. Property sold by owner between 1 July 2006 and 30 September 2012, or earlier date designated by Sec. Def.

5. Property was the primary residence of the owner

6. Owner has not previously received these benefit payments.

Also:

Military Movers Plus Program

Does anyone really believe that interest rates will not rise?

See why in this video.

Also:

$8000.00 tax credit for first time home buyers………can it work for you?

$8000.00 tax credit to be used for down payment on FHA?

Job loss and mortgage protection insurance - another safeguard.