If you live, have lived, or have visited the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, chances are you have seen the outstanding changes made in Norfolk. Once regarded as a simple Navy town and a stop on the way to the beach or the more historical areas of the state, Norfolk is fast becoming an impressive metropolitan city. A lively cultural calendar, increased interest from major corporations, and the presence of NATO make Norfolk a city to watch in the future, for potential businesses and residences.

If you have never been to Norfolk, or merely drove through on the way to somewhere else, you should definitely consider a stay. If you plan to relocate to Virginia, buying a Norfolk home is a bold step toward a lifetime of fun and excitement. Here are just five reasons to love Norfolk.

1) Growing downtown area There used to be a time, friends have told me, when people were reluctant to go downtown, as it had little to offer in the way of shopping and recreation. In the last five years, however, those same people have changed their tunes! Norfolk is steadily developing the downtown area to be more consumer friendly. The MacArthur Center, one of the city’s largest shopping complexes, sits in the heart of an area revitalized by incoming boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Buildings on the perimeter are being renovated to accommodate urban, loft living, while corporations headquartered nearby encouraged the influx of employees to become residential neighbors. To have everything within walking distance – goods, services, churches, and recreation – makes Norfolk a very convenient place to live.

2) Sophisticated dining options With the growth of the downtown area, Norfolk is quickly vying other localities in Hampton Roads for dining honors. From nationally-renowned restaurant chains like Shula’s Steakhouse to legendary eateries like Doumar’s Cones and BBQ, Norfolk has just about every style of cuisine foodies can enjoy. Eclectic fusion dining, cozy coffeehouses, and savory ethnic restaurants await the famished here.

3) Family friendly activities One can only spend so much time at the beach! A trip to Norfolk offers visitors (and residents) many options for family-friendly entertainment. Recent additions to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk have made this park a growing local attraction, while the Waterside complex offers visitor a casual day of food and fun along the Elizabeth River. Nauticus, Norfolk’s own nautical museum, gives visitors the opportunity to experience life under the sea and on the deck of the mighty USS Wisconsin.

4) The Norfolk Tides Did you know Norfolk is home to a professional sports team? The Norfolk Tides are AAA baseball at its best! Boasting one of the most beautiful ballparks on the East Coast, the Norfolk Tides have delighted sports fans for several years. Many former Tides have gone on to successful careers with the MLB, and it is always fun to watch games and see tomorrow’s sports stars playing today.

5) Year-round festivals Town Point Park in Norfolk is always busy, hosting festivals throughout the year on grassy lawns overlooking the Elizabeth River. From live jazz and reggae music, celebrations of Virginia wine and lowcountry cuisine, to the annual Fourth of July fireworks, Norfolk knows how to entertain.

The next time you consider a visit to Virginia, come to Norfolk and fall in love with this diverse, growing city.

The decision to employ a contractor for a home improvement job, room addition, or home repair might not always be an easy one to make. Sometimes, however, it is absolutely necessary to call a professional to handle a job you are unable to do yourself. If you are ready to renovate a bathroom or remodel a kitchen, you want the best person for the job, quality worksmanship at a reasonable priced. Nobody wants to be scammed out of good money for a poor job, but unfortunately it does happen.

Oftentimes, older people are preyed upon in home improvement scams. Taking advantage of a senior citizen’s tight budget, a scam artist may try to double-talk a homeowner into expensive, unneeded repairs, then take the money and run. If any work is done on the home, more than likely it isn’t enough to justify the payment, and also the work may be shoddy and leave the house in worse condition than it was. Such scams are not always perpetrated on older homeowners, however. Therefore, it is important to know what signs to look for so you don’t become ensnared in a fraudulent remodeling job.

What to Look For in a Home Improvement Scam

One possible sign of a con-artist contractor is the approach. If a contractor approaches you for home improvement work unbidden, be warned, especially if he or she is aggressive. Don’t let anyone talk you into repairs or additions you feel your home doesn’t need, and do not allow anyone to come off the street into your home for a “free estimate.” This could actually be a way for somebody to case your home for a future robbery. Even if this person claims to have done work in your area you will want to be on guard. Many contractors find work through customer referrals, so if you are in need of home repairs it is best to get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family.

Be mindful, too, of contracts and payment. If a contractor wants cash up front, or is reluctant to agree to certain terms on a contract, that is usually a red flag. If financing is needed and a contractor insists upon your using his or her referral, that could be another sign. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous contractors to receive kickbacks from creditors they bring into a job. If you need financing, go through your own bank or resource.

Does your contractor have a physical address and phone number, or work primarily through a PO box? This could be another sign of dubious intent. You want to be certain the contractor you choose can easily be found, and is properly licensed and insured. You may wish to avoid anyone who refuses to provide such information.

Be aware of anyone and everyone you approach with a possible home improvement job. Take care to explore recommendations of people you trust and examples of work by potential contractors, and know your legalese before committing a signature to any contract. This is the best way to ensure a job well done without any problems.

If you plan to engage in home improvement to prepare to sell your Virginia Beach home, take heed of suspicious activities and behaviors as you scout contractors.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Norfolk real estate.