http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Both_Buyer_And_Seller-23513-138232/The latest answers submitted by Shawnett Jones to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/where_is_a_safe_area_close_to_the_naval_base_in_no-34117Answer by Shawnett Jones: Sewells gardens is a good neibhorhood . I live there and commute to norfolk international terminals multiple times a day its a 7-10 minute commute interstate is two minutes from my door. Very few crimes by comparison to some of the ones you mentioned and the few crimes we do have are typically nonviolent teen angst stuff. I would look for an apartment close to thereTue, 6 May 2008 11:14:21 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Crime_and_Safety/is_colonial_place_a_dangerous_place_to_live_-23016Answer by Shawnett Jones: Check out this site, http://www.norfolk.gov/neighborhood_offenses/default.asp in the civic league area pick your neighbhorhood and it will tell you every up to date crime for that area amazingly the "good" neighborhoods have the most crimes. For example search say Colonial placeRiverview vs Sewells gardens "My" current nieghborhood vs one I was looking to buy in. Wow! rapes and all waht a colorful hidden crime area. http://www.norfolk.gov/neighborhood_offenses/default.aspWed, 23 Apr 2008 22:17:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/removed-30664Answer by Shawnett Jones: Well folks I was able to reach him, the house was vacant( very very vacant) almost vagabond vacant. We did go see it Sunday afternoon. It's definetly a think hard and long type of house since it needs major work. Tear most of the house down to the studs kind of work. Not up to my living standards since it was not the cleanest either and I have a slight case of monkofobia But if we go through and do the work it would be a magnificent home. Thanks to all who answered.Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:23:16 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/how_is_it_that_with_the_housing_market_dropping_an-27059Answer by Shawnett Jones: Thanks for the rain no drought here. Unlike many buyers I buy houses because I actually want to live in a nice house. Not to flip which is what and partly why the market is a mess. For me buying now at a low price seems right. The house is a fixer but only in sense of ugly. The hvac is fine, the ugly can be done over time, and well not everyone hires out repairs. My husband and I know how to do the kitchen and bath as we did them in our last house and very well at low cost to boot. Under $8,000 to do both since WE were the contractors, and good ones TOO. Landscpaing done. Carpet? not has hardwoods. Paint? If i ever get so uppity that I spend that much money on paint and carpet I'll slap myself. Being a longshoreman makes you not mind grunt work. As for lonshore work I'm not leaving for maternity because they're already here. I'm in my early thirties been there done that, thanks for the concern but I'll be fine. Ten fold not so literall! This is eventually the type house we will write in our wills for our two children so profit isnt exactly a concern. At the most for repairs we would spend maybe $40,000.Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:40:40 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_matters_most_-7645Answer by Shawnett Jones: I can see both sides of this working for or against you. Granite is great yes but you can also overdo a remodel. Case in point most homes in my area are $100k-160k range they tend to be minimally appealing kitchens with OLD kitchen with formica type counters and laminate flooring. We recently REDID our kitchen and put in butcher block counters and new cabinets and porcelain tile all for under $5,000(we did the labor ourselves). Our listing agent came by and his lip dropped in amazment. He said it would sell our house. Every other house for sale in our neighborhood still has kitchen from when these homes were built in 1939. So just because HGTV says granite is the only way to sell your house doesn't mean that's set in sotne (pun intended, I crack me up). Personally I would rather have the updated systems any day. I agree a pretty kitchen AINT gonna keep you warm. The bigger question here is are you competing with what the neighborhood standards are? I agree it's not a good time to sell but if you aren't in foreclosure and don't have a pressing reason to sell what's the worst that could happen? you have to stay? how horrible is that?Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:18:03 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/What_areas_in_Hampton_Roads_do_you_find_most_desir-4435Answer by Shawnett Jones: lafayette winona, ghent, willow wood, even see a home I want in willow wood. why do you ask? Is this a survey?Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:44:42 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/removed-17027Answer by Shawnett Jones: A lot depends on your style. Norfolk is a very old city, thus very old houses lots of cape cods, craftsman's and a few victorian's interspearsed here and there. You will find a many neigbhorhood with beautiful architecture. The problem is while many appreciate this more don't. Therein lies the issue that plagues most of Norfolk. You find a lot of areas will do one of two things. They have nicely renovated homes next to five run down ones. Or they just tear down a run down one and build a new cookie cutter house in next to run down onesand it sticks out like a soar thumb. We are in the next few months also looking to sell our current home that we've outgrown in Norview. We have been looking at Estabrook more closer to the chesapeake blvd side, and Lafayette winona. Lafayette is located near the lafeyette river and is designated a historic district thus being one of the neighbhorhood that tries to maintain a nice appearance. Renting we lived at Dove Landing reasonable rent and they have about 5 locations throughout hampton roads. Also If your willing to pay $1,000-1,200 for rent check out renting a house in Ghent. One a norfolk's prime real estate areas. If looking for a consistent established(older) neighborhood that most neighbors care for their home I would focus search on these: Estabrook avg $180,000-299,000 Lafayette avg $300,000 For new construction Houses: Stonebridge Crossing $300,000- $400,000Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:25:35 PST