Rountree Real Estate Team

11/05/2026

| Why South Norfolk Looks the Way It Does 🏡

Back in the 2000s, I served on Chesapeake's Historic & Architectural Review Board, reviewing homeowners' requests for changes to their homes in the South Norfolk Historic District. Tonight I'm on the other side of the table, asking the board to approve an improvement on my own rental!

😊 So for Throwback Thursday, here's a little history on why the board exists.
How it started: South Norfolk originated as a streetcar suburb of Norfolk, became an independent town in 1919, and then in 1963 joined Norfolk County in forming the City of Chesapeake. Those tree-lined grid streets are full of Colonial Revival, Stick Style, and Queen Anne homes, plus churches, a school, a park and a small business district.

Getting recognized: The neighborhood became a Virginia Landmark in December 1987 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places January 27, 1989, with 668 contributing buildings. 🌳
Why the board was formed: Being on the state and national registers is an honor, but it doesn't require anything from homeowners. So in November, 2000, the South Norfolk Historic Preservation Overlay District was established. It covers about 75% of the registered district. The review board looks at exterior modification within the district as can be seen from the paved public right-of-way, such as porches, siding, windows, fences, additions and new construction. Before you start the work, you need its approval, called a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Why it matters: The board helps protect the character, charm and long-term value that make people want to live in South Norfolk.
If you own (or are thinking about buying) in a historic district and have questions about how the process works, I've been on both sides of it and I'm always happy to share what I've learned. 💛

Debbie Rountree
BHHS RW Towne Realty
757-648-0999

11/05/2026

Support local 🥦🫑

Meet us at the Friday Farmers Market! All your favorites from last year plus some new faces, plus a variety of food trucks every Friday. We have fresh produce, meat, cheese, eggs, breads, microgreens, sauces, sweets, treats, and more! Look for the us on Knells Ridge, one block west of Battlefield Bo...

11/04/2026

The appraisal report just got its biggest update in decades. 🔥

As of November 2, most conventional-loan appraisals use a new, more detailed format. How a home is valued hasn’t changed, but appraisers now record much more about each room, system and upgrade.

What I’m telling my sellers: start a paper trail early. Receipts and dates for upgrades, the ages of the roof, HVAC and water heater, permits, survey, flood and HOA documents. Dates and details beat “recently updated.”

Lenders, appraisers and fellow agents: what are you seeing so far with the new format? I’d love to hear how it’s going on your end. 🏠

Debbie Rountree | BHHS RW Towne Realty | The Rountree Real Estate Team

11/03/2026

Grateful Monday ☕ (a little late, but the gratitude is right on time!)

This weekend, 1816 Sunsprite went UNDER CONTRACT, and my heart is full. 🙏

I'll be honest, this one took a little patience. We asked for a settlement about four months out to fit our sellers' timing, and it slowed things down at the start. What I've seen again and again is that most buyers are hoping to settle within 45 days, 60 at the most. When they're ready to move, they're READY.

It all worked out beautifully, and I'm so thankful for the buyers who were the perfect fit. But it's a good reminder for anyone thinking about selling: your settlement date is part of your pricing strategy. It can open the door to more buyers, or quietly narrow it.

If your timing is tricky, let's talk it through early. There's almost always a creative way to make it work. 💛

Debbie Rountree · BHHS RW Towne Realty · 757-648-0999

10/31/2026

🎃 Happy Halloween, Hampton Roads! 👻

Watch out for all those little goblins out and about tonight! They're excited, probably a little jacked up on sugar, and may not always be watching where they're going! 🧙‍♀️

Slow down, keep your eyes open, and let's keep everyone safe!

I LOVE Halloween! ❤️ Seeing all the little ones (and the teenagers too!) dressed up and having fun is one of my favorite things about this holiday!

Have a SPOOKTACULAR evening, everyone! 🎃👻

10/30/2026

🏡 SOLD in Culpepper Landing, Chesapeake! 🎉

I am SO dang excited for Sally and Randy!! ❤️

We found the perfect home AND neighborhood for their next chapter!

Rightsizing isn't always about a smaller house or a first-floor primary bedroom. Sometimes it's about a smaller yard, walkable streets, a pool and playground for the grandkids, nearby shopping, and a home without major systems nearing replacement!

It's about finding the lifestyle that fits YOU! 🏡

And here's what makes this one extra special — this is my THIRD time helping Sally and Randy with their real estate journey! That continued trust means so much to me. ❤️

A big shout-out to our terrific closing team — Tim Lee with RW Towne Mortgage and Joel Gueli with Towne Title! Great people make great things happen!

Congratulations, Sally and Randy! Here's to your next chapter and lots of grandkid visits! 🥂

10/27/2026

Ohhh, my pretties! 🧹🧹

A little Hocus Pocus, a little witchy mischief, and a whole lot of fun! It's Halloween week, so why not have a little fun with it?

Love Halloween and can't wait to see all the little goblins 🧡🎃

10/24/2026

🏡 SATURDAYS ARE FOR REAL ESTATE! 🏡

And The Rountree Real Estate Team is on the move today!

Katie and Cara are hosting BACK-TO-BACK OPEN HOUSES! 🔑

Saturday is traditionally a big day in real estate! Serious buyers are out looking, exploring neighborhoods, and discovering opportunities.

And open houses do more than sell homes. They create exposure, generate interest, and give buyers and sellers a firsthand look at what's happening in our local market!

📣 A LITTLE MARKET NEWS FOR YOUR SATURDAY!

🏡 Mortgage rates dipped slightly this week — welcome news for buyers!

🏡 Chesapeake's median sales price was up 2.5% year over year in September.

🏡 Hampton Roads has more homes available, giving buyers more choices!

So, what's really happening in the Chesapeake real estate market?

That's where local knowledge matters! And this team knows our market!

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about your home's value, we'd love to talk real estate with you.

🚪 Stop by and see Katie and Cara today, or give us a call!

Open houses DO sell homes — and they create opportunities!

❤️ The Rountree Real Estate Team
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty
📞 757-453-3019

10/23/2026

🌞 HAMPTON ROADS WEEKEND FUN! 🍂

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? October 23–25 is packed with local happenings! Here are a few worth checking out!

🎭 Friday, Oct. 23

Masquerade in Ghent — Norfolk | 6–10 PM..been it was fun...when I was younger! 😄

Norfolk Admirals Hockey — Scope Arena

⚓ Saturday, Oct. 24

Fleet Fest — Naval Station Norfolk | 10 AM–5 PM | FREE!

Town & Treat — Virginia Beach Town Center | 11 AM–2 PM

Norfolk Admirals Hockey — Scope Arena

🎃 Sunday, Oct. 25

Halloween Harvest Festival — Chrysler Museum, Norfolk | 12–3 PM

Pig & Oyster Fest — Virginia Beach

John Williams & Steven Spielberg Film Scores — Sandler Center | 7:30 PM

🍁 Get out, enjoy the fall weather, and make some memories right here in Hampton Roads!

❤️ Fun stuff not here...share with us!

Your local hometown team, The Rountree Real Estate Team