3 Hidden Hampton Roads beaches to visit.

Water views when you live on the East Coast are a dime a dozen. You can head in almost anydirection in Hampton Roads and find a sandy spot to lay down a towel and crank up the musicloud. If you're looking for a spot that's a little less “tourist trap” and a lot more “breathtakingbeauty”, try heading to one of these 3 amazing hidden gems. Grandview Nature PreserveJust off the beaten path In Hampton you'll find the enchanting Grandview Beach. The area itselfis home to over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and a long stretch of Chesapeake Baycoastline. Patrons are welcome to walk the trails, observe the migrant birds, fish, or just enjoythe quiet beauty of the shore line! There is a short walk through the preserve to get to thesecluded beach so pack accordingly! The preserve and its beach is open year round fromsunrise to sunset! Parking can be a bit tricky, but is free and runs along the right side of StatePark Drive! Outlook Beach at Fort MonroeAs the name suggests this stretch of beach is on the inactive Fort Monroe Base. It’s open andfree to the public as it was decommissioned back in 2011. Feeling secluded is easy when youare surrounded by water on all sides! The amazing views, old military artifacts, fishing pier andlighthouse all in close proximity will fill your day with sand, sun, and fun! Take a stroll down theboardwalk and watch the waves dance along the shore line or come early and watch the sunrise over the water to start your day. While the beach is open year round from sunrise to sunsetlifeguards are only present Memorial Day through Labor Day.   Kiptopeke State ParkLast but certainly not least on our list is Kiptopeke State Park. This gorgeous stretch of beach isnestled on the south end of the Eastern Shore in Cape Charles, its spectacular view nods to thearea's WWII maritime commission. While you swim the day away make sure to check out thestring of concrete ships about a ¼ mile off the coast. Once used as a protection barrier forextreme weather, these ghost ships are now home to a plethora of native fish, birds andshellfish! While you’re visiting you can also enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and hiking!The end of summer is fast approaching, whether you visit one of these beaches or the dozensof others in our area enjoy yourself. Stop to take in the sights that our beautiful area has to offer. Kick off your flip flops, get sandy, and dive in.

Let's Talk About...FHA Loan Products

In the aftermath of World War I and the Great Depression, the housing industry was in shambles. Construction of new homes stalled and foreclosures on existing mortgages were rampant. In an effort to offer the industry relief, the US government intervened. It created the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and, in a nutshell, revolutionized the mortgage market. Homeownership is an option for so many today thanks to the FHA’s ability to offer a variety of loans for all types of home buyers. Got less than stellar credit? FHA has a minimum score requirement of 580 (though most lenders require a score of 620 to 640). Don’t have 20% to put down? Some homebuyers are able to apply with as little as 3.5%. Looking for a fixer-upper? FHA has an option for that, as well as options for manufactured homes, condos, and multi-family units. With its range of low-cost products and inclusive property and credit requirements, it’s no wonder that FHA loans are such fan favorites. Let’s look at three specific FHA loan products available to you if you’re working with United Atlantic Mortgage. 203(k) Improvement Loan  A 203(k) loan allows Borrowers to bundle the purchase of a home and certain repairs into one loan—a great option if you don’t have a lot of cash on hand after closing or if your dream home is a fixer-upper. The home must meet certain conditions, and eligible repairs must improve the property’s appeal and/or address health and safety concerns or livability, but if it does, you can finance up to $35,000 or 110% of the after-renovation cost.   Reverse Mortgage  Reverse mortgages allow seniors 62 and older to convert the equity in their homes to cash either as a lump sum or a fixed monthly payment to supplement their income. While Borrowers are not required to make monthly mortgage payments, the entire loan balance, up to a limit, becomes due upon death or departure from the home. Down Payment Assistance The down payment assistance program, which is offered by one of United Atlantic Mortgage’s partner lenders, is a 100% non-repayable lender grant of 2% or 3.5% that can be used towards either closing costs or the down payment respectively. Eligibility requirements are slightly more stringent than the 203(b), and Borrowers must meet one of four additional criteria. If you are in the market for a home, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, you need to consider an FHA loan. Reach out to see if you qualify for one of these products.   

Taking Please and Thankyou to the next level

As a company that specializes in going above and beyond, we have a major soft spot in our heart for local businesses that  help us accomplish that goal. Spotlighting Please and Thankyou was a no brainer! From coozies, local beer and wine, custom branded tumblers and t-shirts to bath bombs, baby onesies and coastal decor this locally owned and operated gift shop takes the stress out of finding the perfect gift! Though in existence since 1999, the Bailey family took ownership in 2021. It was a whirlwind of serendipity that caused this wife and husband team  to uproot their family from Pennsylvania and dive into the world of personalized baskets and  gifts. With Becky’s background in corporate events and incentive travel and Roger’s  experience in business development and networking, the couple welcomed the challenge of growing a business during COVID. And boy did they succeed! With big corporate clients and small businesses alike, everyone jumped to take advantage of  the stress free “ongoing gift” service that Please and Thankyou offers. While they do welcome corporate clients with open arms, they also love to cater to the public by offering personalized gifts for just about any occasion. While 40% of their revenue comes from the holidays, they have a store front of ever-changing stock to match the season. Whatever you can imagine, the staff can create! All of their products can be branded for you, your business or the gift recipient. Recently Please and Thankyou has started offering Sip 'n shops and private events  where you can get together to sample their offerings (many locally-sourced), browse their extensive collection of customizable products, and even create your own basket to purchase. Additionally, Pleas and Thankyou is expanding into the world of pop-up shops around Hamptons Roads. Matching the stress-free vibes of Virginia Beach, they also offer grab ‘n go baskets, pop-by boxes, and gifts under $25 dollars in their store for purchase on the fly. For those clients and/or loved far away in miles but close to your heart, they also hand-deliver their gifts daily as far up as NOVA and all the way down into North Carolina or offer worldwide shipping. We were so fortunate to get to meet with Becky and get an inside peek at how Please and Thankyou operates and we are beyond excited to support them and watch this fellow locally-owned business keep growing and thriving! You can check them out on Facebook and Instagram or pop in to the store and tell them United Atlantic sent you!             Please and Thankyou 195 S. Rosemont Rd. #113, Virginia Beach 23452 / 757-498-4707       www.PleaseandThankyou.com/ sales@pleaseandthankyou.com/ #Pleaseandthankyougifts

Homeowner's Insurance vs. Warranty and why it matters

The path to homeownership is both a massive and confusing undertaking. With so many steps and hurdles, very few adults can claim to understand each step fully. Most first-time homebuyers—along with some of the most seasoned buyers—rely on experts to help them wade through the process and determine what is a must and what is a waste of time, money, and other resources. Homeowner’s insurance Requirements While it may not be required by law in Virginia to purchase homeowner’s insurance, you will be hard-pressed to find a lender willing to give you a loan without proving you have a policy established. On the other hand, a home warranty is an optional, elected expense. It plays no role in loan-ability and is usually purchased after the home. So what's the difference? Differences in coverage Homeowner’s insurance protects you, your structure, and your belongings from the burden of an assortment of unforeseen events—think weather, fire, theft and vandalism. Whereas a standard insurance policy provides coverage to repair or replace your home and its contents in the event of damage, increased coverage policies could also cover medical expenses and the loss of use. Homeowner’s insurance is intended to lessen the blow caused by the unpredictable; it will not cover normal wear and tear; termite, insect or rodent damage; rot and mold; or any issue chalked up to improper maintenance. A home warranty, on the other hand, can be purchased yearly to help offset the cost of  servicing, repairing, or replacing major appliances and whole house systems. It acts as a financial buffer should one of the big-ticket items in your home breakdown! It can also extend the protection you get from those manufacturer warranties after they run out. From plumbing, and HVAC issues, to water heater and roof leaks, a home warranty can help make unexpected headaches a little more bearable. Warranties will not cover cosmetic damage, damage from improper use, neglect or pre-existing conditions. There's really no comparing homeowner’s insurance to a home warranty; not only is one required while the other optional, but their coverage differs completely. At the end of the day, there's really no definitive answer on whether or not you should add a warranty to your homebuyers shopping list. Our suggestion is to do your research and do what's best for you and your new investment!