ADAM GARRETT

Image courtesy Google Maps (See Nature & Parks Below) Whether you're renting or buying , if you're considering a move to the Central or Eastern VA area or planning on it already, there are a lot of great online resources to help smooth your transition so that you can be informed in advance before even visiting there. Below I focus on mapping resources. With any Google maps below, filter the sections based on what you're looking for on the top left. Virginia MLS Map for Buyin

Providing free & low-cost resources for kids & parents & resources for schools including a focus on school/school district selection via reviews.

The market in Hampton Roads is in a relatively good place. Home values are growing, but not growing at too rapid of a rate that would stimulate future crash concerns. Home values are also still quite affordable & below the Virginia median price and the national median price. Inventory is relatively low. In this article, I'll be sharing via graph form more on the current state of the market, and focusing as well on historic and recurring trends. The below is best viewed on a d

Many seek to save and increase their income before buying a home, and many fail to realize that the most lucrative programs to reduce home cost are primarily geared toward those of low income and low assets. Because these limits fluctuate typically on an annual basis, below I've created a guide to help you in the process as a frame of reference since often public websites where these programs may be found aren't updated on an annual basis and don't have links to where to find

Below is a list of resources from various locations for those who are homeless or who are facing the threat of homelessness: How to Avoid Becoming Homeless Non-Traditional Housing Homeless Shelters & Transitional Homes in SE VA Live Aboarding on a Boat (i.e. free sailboats anchored & where to find them) Living in a Van, RV, or Otherwise on Wheels Low or No Cost Camping Couch Surfing While Homeless While your first bet should be to reach out to friends and family, there are mu

All images courtesy Freecycle Whether you're a 1st-time buyer looking to save money, moving here from another country and trying to cut...

Identifying the best systemized rating scales for hospitals for the US and creating maps for Virginia & the surrounding area

Above: Me in high school casting in high winds with my dad in the background and hitting the photographer with the hook accidentally!...

Above: Image by Adam (not nearly how much money it looks to be, FYI) #s below are from 2024 Real Estate Tax Relief/Deferral Virginia...

Image by Adam at Langley AFB Resources for Kids Blue Star Kids Military Child Education Coalition Sesame Street for Military Families Our Military Kids "Receive free grants for kids of deployed soldiers! Grants can be used for Sports, Fine Arts, Camps, Tutoring Programs, etc." (per Frugal Girls) Tutor.com ~ FREE Tutoring Services for Military Families! "U.S. military and their families receive FREE homework and tutoring help!" (per Frugal Girls) Career Resources/Spousal Supp

While I've gone on cruises and slept in some of my dad's boats & other boats for short trips on the boat, I've never done live-aboarding,...

City-Data for Median Monthly Housing Cost, Median Value, & Many More Options This map on City Data has a state view, county view, zip...

Image by author Why this Question is Legally Tricky As I mention in my article Seemingly Harmless Questions With Major Consequences if Answered Directly , this question is a bit tricky legally. If an agent were to provide merely their opinion on this issue, they could easily be accused of steering. Conversely, if the agent is the source of factual data in a universal way that could inform a buyer about best areas, it's not so problematic, and I would argue, a lot better than

Jamestown - Image by Adam While there are algorithm-based responses to the question of " What is the Best Area to Buy In? " there are currently severe limitations to those algorithms taking into account personal preferences, where a more in-depth dive below is highly beneficial. Area Free/Paid A menities /Things to Do Free Things to Do in & Around VA (1500+ Options worldwide, with likely >97% in VA or an adjacent state, and >90% in VA). Things to Do in Central & E VA Locatio

This guide forms an integral part of my area guide . Environmental Factors: FEMA's Composite Weather Risk Index FEMA has created a composite weather risk index of expected annual loss * social vulnerability/ community resilience. They have done that across a wide variety of potential weather-related hazards. There are areas of SE VA that range from the very low zone (i.e. Surry, Petersburg, & Williamsburg) to the relatively moderate zone (i.e. Newport News & Virginia Beach).

In this article, I share my map of over 1500 free things to do in & around Virginia, with a small % of those #s even around the globe....

Unmatched SE VA Area Guide with information on other locations in VA & some on surrounding states, with information also applicable throughout the US. Especially including Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg, James City County, Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Surry, Southampton County, Gloucester County, Mathews County, Middlesex County, Richmond, New Kent County, Charles City County, Petersburg, Henrico

In this article, I show a map at the bottom I've created of transportation options in & in some cases around VA, including train...

Over 100 articles going step by step through the home-selling process, w/ info applicable in the US & some info specific to SE VA i.e. Hampton Roads & RVA

In this link to a Google Sheet, I've created a master spreadsheet for home purchase considerations for buyers. Since it's a Google...