Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is Virginia's second-largest incorporated city, with a population of 234,403 as of the 2000 Census. Norfolk is also one of the few urban areas in Virginia showing resurgence in population, with an estimated population of 238,832 in 2006.
The city is bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay. It also shares land borders with the cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. As it is surrounded by multiple bodies of water, Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bay front property, and is linked with its neighbors by an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes. Norfolk is also easily accessible from all corners of the world, thanks to the Norfolk International Airport. Avid travelers can even depart on various cruise lines from the Norfolk Cruise Ship Terminal, opened in 2007 and located conveniently in the heart of the downtown waterfront area.
One of the oldest cities in the Hampton Roads area, Norfolk is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region. Norfolk is home to both the Norfolk Naval Base, the world's largest naval base, and corporate headquarters of the Norfolk Southern Railway, one of North America's principal Class I railroads.
First settled in 1622 by Adam Thoroughgood, Norfolk had developed into what many believe was the most prosperous city in Virginia by 1775. It was a major shipbuilding center and an important trans-shipment point for the export of goods. Norfolk was officially incorporated as a city in 1845, with a population of about 14,000, and by 1950, it was the fifth fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States.
Norfolk has a newly revitalized downtown area, home to the MacArthur Center mall, Chrysler Hall Performing Arts Center, Scope Arena, and several other shopping and cultural arts venues. Fans of the performing arts can enjoy Broadway shows at Chrysler Hall, opera at the Harrison Opera House, and top-notch regional theater at the Wells Theater. Sports fanatics enjoy rooting for the hometown triple-A baseball team, the Norfolk Tides (an affiliate of the Orioles) at Harbor Park, and the Norfolk Admirals ice hockey team at Scope Arena. Families enjoying a day in downtown Norfolk can dine at world-class restaurants or explore the Nauticus National Maritime Center, the Virginia Zoo, or the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Being a waterfront city, the best way to see Norfolk is aboard one of the Norfolk harbor cruises. Choose from lunch cruises, dinner cruises (including the Spirit of Norfolk dinner show cruise), sailboats, paddlewheel ships, or a Naval Base cruise.
Norfolk's efforts to revitalize its downtown have attracted acclaim in economic development and urban planning circles throughout the country, with Money Magazine proclaiming it as the number one city in which to live in the South in 1999. Located just northwest of downtown, the Ghent district of Norfolk is one of the Hampton Roads region's premier urban residential communities. With abundant nightlife options and a wide variety of restaurants, Norfolk also plays host to numerous yearly festivals and parades, mostly at Town Pointe Park in downtown.
Norfolk City Public Schools is made up of 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 34 elementary schools, and 9 special-purpose/preschools. In 2005, Norfolk Public Schools won the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education award for having demonstrated "the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps for poor and minority students". There are several private schools in the city, and Norfolk is also home to four major universities: Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Virginia Wesleyan College.
Norfolk, like most of the Hampton Roads area, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with moderate changes of seasons. In addition to the urban residential areas, there are also miles of bayfront resort property and beaches in the Willoughby Spit and Ocean View communities. Home prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but Norfolk is generally considered to be moderately priced, and an excellent value for property near the sea.
Norfolk VA Homes For Sale
What's My Norfolk Home Worth
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by: Dave.Macklin on Aug 25, 2008 @ 11:08 am Leave a comment »
Norfolk July 2008 Market Report & Sales Statistics Residential sales in Norfolk dropped by 21 percent in July compared to July 2007, causing the average market time to increase 22 percent, from 64 days to 78 days. The median sales price decreased 1 percent, while the average sale price increased 6 percent to $260,274.
What do these sales statistics mean for Norfolk real estate buyers? The Norfolk real estate market has not started to stabilize, however, values are appreciating and remains a great time to buy a home. Especially with the new first time home buyer incentives provided for in the Virginia Beach Real Estate: Housing & Economic Recovery Act. National Association Reports Sales Increase 
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by: Dave.Macklin on Aug 08, 2008 @ 10:55 am Leave a comment »
9524 8th Bay Street,
Norfolk VA 23518
Vacation every day! This is not just a house, this is a lifestyle. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house is on Pretty Lake in Norfolk VA and has a boat slip with a 10,000# boat lift. Set sail from your boat slip and within minutes you're on The Chesapeake Bay. Fantastic views of Pretty Lake from either deck, cathedral ceilings and skylights add to the airy and comfortable feeling of this transitional style house. Fireplace, eat in kitchen, separate master suite level, 2 zone HVAC, utility room, and a home warranty too! If you only have time to see one house.... This should be the one you see! It will make you instantly feel like you have come home for good. Thoughtfully designed & built, perfectly maintained, . Nothing left to chance here. Great neighborhood, convenient to everything, yet off the beaten track so you won't have traffic problems. Nice neighbors? YES! One of the nicest group of people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. Give us a call to schedule your private viewing, 866-222-0158 #550. Search all Norfolk real estate and homes for sale.
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by: Dave.Macklin on Jul 30, 2008 @ 5:34 pm Leave a comment »
Norfolk June 2008 Sales StatisticsResidential sales in Norfolk dropped by 26 percent in June compared to June 2007, causing the average market time to increase 12 percent, from 68 days to 76 days. The median sales price decreased 7 percent, while the average sale price decreased 5 percent to $253,847.
What do these statistics mean for Norfolk and Virginia Beach real estate? It remains an excellent market for first time home buyers to get their feet wet. Market times have increased and prices have decreased, making sellers more negotiable.
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by: Dave.Macklin on Jun 25, 2008 @ 11:33 am Leave a comment »
Norfolk Real Estate Market Report A modest gain in the level of home sales is possible over the next couple months, and an improvement is forecast for the second half of this year as more buyers are able to access affordable mortgages, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a
forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent
to 88.2 from a reading of 83.0 in March. It's the highest index since last
October, but remains 13.1 percent lower than April 2007 when it stood at 101.5. Let's take a look at the Norfolk real estate market activity to see how the spring market is shaping up. Norfolk May 2008 Sales Statistics
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by: Dave.Macklin on Jun 18, 2008 @ 10:23 am 1 comment »
South Hampton Roads Real Estate Area Market ReportA modest gain in the level of home sales is possible over the next couple months, and an improvement is forecast for the second half of this year as more buyers are able to access affordable mortgages, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a
forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent
to 88.2 from a reading of 83.0 in March. It's the highest index since last
October, but remains 13.1 percent lower than April 2007 when it stood at 101.5. Let's take a look at the South Hampton Roads real estate market activity, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk and Portsmouth, Smithfield and Isle of Wight for this May. South Hampton Roads May 2008 Sales Statistics
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To begin your search for the perfect home or to sell your home in the Virginia Beach area,
call Dave Macklin and The Butler Team at 866-222-0158 #550.
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