EXACTLY WHAT DOES YOUR REALTOR® DO? Most people would say, "Helps people buy and sell houses."  That's merely a job.  The reward comes from being good neighbors and good citizens. "Our members do so much more than help buy and sell homes."  They recently helped paint a home in conjunction with Housing Partnerships.  In addition, two recent fund-raising events show that our members care for and about the community, " says Linda Linsman, CEO of the Williamsburg Area Association of REALTORS® (WAAR). Supporting worthwhile causes is one way that Realtors® can and do give back to the community that supports us by giving us the opportunity to serve them with their real estate needs.  Proceeds from the 10th annual golf tournament, held earlier this month at the Golden Horeshoe Course, were do... 06/22/2008

By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, REALTOR Williamsburg Virginia is widely known among golf enthusiasts as the golf capital of the East Coast. Many avid golfers retire or relocate to Williamsburg, Virginia so they can be near a wide selection of courses. Following is a sampling of golf courses in Williamsburg, with links to their web sites, where you will find virtual tours, tour packages, and descriptions of the courses. Royal New Kent (http://www.traditionalclubs.com/ROYAL/)In 2002, Golf Digest deemed Royal New Kent a 4 1/2 star course. The course flows across 7, 372 yards of Virginia countryside and has been likened to Irish links. Tall grasses blowing in the wind against a backdrop of sharp, green, grassy knolls and hand-stacked rocks are the reason for this comparison to the Emerald I... 06/22/2008

By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, REALTOR Golf has long been one of the favorite leisure activities of professional and retired individuals. In Williamsburg, Virginia and surrounding areas, the professional and retiree can play golf on many renowned golf courses. The devoted golf enthusiast may desire even more than this. For some golfers, the ultimate immersion in the sport means moving to a golf community. In and around Williamsburg, Virginia a concentration of great courses and elegant golf communities make it the perfect place for the golfer to live, work, or retire. Check with individual communities, but most have additional amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and restaurants. Home buyers at most golf communities may choose to live in Planned Unit Development homes with ... 06/22/2008

By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, REALTOR Williamsburg Virginia is a familiar name for many because it is steeped in colonial history. In the 1920s, Rockefeller sunk millions into the renovation of historic homes, pubs, and properties. Today, Williamsburg is an early American gem, as well as a mecca for retirement. A Temperate ClimateThe greater Williamsburg area includes James City and York Counties, and these areas are also steeped in early American history. Many retirees prefer this part of Southeastern Virginia because it has a temperate climate and an excellent mid point location on the Eastern seaboard. The temperature in winter months rarely dips below 40 or 30 degrees, and snow is a rarity. For six to eight months out of the year, temperatures range from 55-90 degrees. GardeningFo... 06/22/2008

  SENTARA WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER in WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA  HONORED for going GREEN! Sentara received the PARTNER RECOGNITION AWARD last month at Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards in Pittsburgh. The awards are give to facilities that are working to eliminate mercury from healthcare centers, prevent pollution and minimize waste. The hospital has removed 41 pounds of mercury. The EPA recognized this hospital for its mercury removal efforts. From November 2007 to April 2008 the hospital recycled 65,000 pounds of materials. Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center has been recycling paper, bottles, cans, light bulbs and batteries. They've even been recycling cooking oils & certain chemicals used in the laboratory. The hospital has switched from gasolined... 06/16/2008

                    LIKE HORSES? LIKE TO RACE? Try COLONIAL DOWNS!   Located in New Kent, VA, only 30 minutes from Williamsburg, VA Father's Day was my first visit to COLONIAL DOWNS.  I've always seen it from the interstate, but never ventured off my route.  I decided to take my husband for Father's Day.   We're not gambling folk, but we decided to take a chance on Magic Boots.  Well, here she is...No she didn't come in first, but a very strong LAST!!  There's a whole lot to betting, it was way over our heads.  That was 2 bucks not well spent, but it sure was fun...hootin' & hollerin' for our horse to win!!  But, nonetheless it was a great time.   They had a salute to military fathers, which I'm partial to since my husband is active duty ARMY, HOOOAH!! They gave free COLONIAL DOWNS base... 06/16/2008

The following demographics are for Williamsburg VA. Williamsburg is comprised of the City of Williamsburg, James City County and Upper York County. These stats are for James City County and the City of Williamsburg (23188). Age   Male   Female   Both   % of Males % of All % of Females % of All % of All 0-9 years: 13.4% 6.5% 11.5% 6% 12.4% 10-19 years: 13.8% 6.7% 12.2% 6.3% 13% 20-29 years: 10.6% 5.1% 10.8% 5.6% 10.7% 30-39 years: 14.4% 6.9% 15% 7.8% 14.7% 40-49 years: 15.3% 7.4% 16% 8.3% 15.7% 50-59 years: 13% 6.3% 13.6% 7.1% 13.3% 60-69 years: 10.3% 5% 10.1% 5.2% 10.2% 70-79 years: 7.3% 3.5% 7.5% 3.9% 7.4% 80+ years: 1.9% 0.9% 3.2% 1.7% 2.6% All Ages: Male: 48.3% Female: 51.7%   Median Ages: 38.6 yrs. 40.3 yrs. 39.5 yrs. The following demographics are for Williamsburg, VA Upper York C... 06/02/2008

Trying to decide where you should buy your next home? Well, Williamsburg, VA is a great choice! Why? Here, let me give you 51 Reasons (in no particular order): Prime Outlets      Great Wolf Lodge   Cardinals in abundance in the Spring Yankie Candle Factory                          Busch Gardens Colonial Williamsburg Kimball    Theater R.F. Willkinson YMCA Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Yorktown     Summer Breeze Concert Series                   Williamsburg Winery Water Country USA         Sno-To-Go             Newtown Cinema 12             Kidsburg Park               Tavern Ghost Walks           Ripley's Believe It or Not!             Revolutionary City 4th of July Fireworks @ Busch Gardens & Colonial Williamsburg Considered one of the top 5 places to retire in America           Go... 05/28/2008

WILLIAMSBURG POPULATION: 12,434 AREA: 9.05 square miles FOUNDED: As Middle Plantation in 1633; established as Williamsburg in 1699 MEDIAN AGE: 24.2 LANDMARKS: Wren Building, Governor's Palace, Colonial Capitol, Courthouse of 1770, Bruton Parish Church MAYOR: JEANNE ZEIDLER Don't be surprised to see men in breeches waiting in line at the bank and women in mob caps picking out food at the supermarket in Williamsburg!   The historic flavor or Colonial Williamsburg blends with the daily life of city locals and students at the College of William and Mary (the second oldest university in the country). It's a common scene for costumed Colonial interpreters to mingle with the packs of students in downtown eateries and shops! CW, as it's nicknamed, has more than 500 original and reconstructed 18... 05/26/2008

Many people don’t realize that there are a number of alternatives to foreclosure. The most important thing to remember is that you should involve a knowledgeable Realtor as early as possible, because the more time that you have, the more options will most likely be available to you. First, an agent will perform a “CMA” (competitive market analysis) on your home, to see what your property would sell for in today’s market, and how long it will take to get it sold. Next, the agent will prepare an estimate of your proceeds, to determine your equity position. Any unmade mortgage payments and late fees will need to be added to your outstanding balance, before determining the amount of equity (if any) that you have. The agent will also project any mortgage payments that will need to be made b... 05/21/2008

If you are looking for a Realtor in the Williamsburg/Richmond and surrounding areas please call Williamsburg Premier Properties at 757-903-5268.  Our team of qualified realtors has over 15 years of experience helping buyers and sellers. We handle mostly residential transactions but also commercial deals as well as property manangement.  Please visit our web site at www.williamsburgpremierproperties.com or e-mail Susan Oliver at susanoliver@remax.net.  You can always reach us by phone at 757-903-5268.  Williamsburg Premier Properties is supported by RE/MAX - the largest real estate company in the world! 05/20/2008

WHAT'S THERE TO DO IN WILLIAMSBURG?5/18 -5/19Well, there's plenty to do in Williamsburg!  Take a peak at what's going on...     SUNDAY AMERICAN LEGACIES:  STAGE & SCREEN CLASSICS - Presented by the Virgina Chorale, 3 p.m. at the KIMBALL THEATRE.  Tickets are $10-$32.  Call 565-8588. BOOK SIGNING - Aleck Loker signs "Profiles in Colonial History" 1-3 p.m. at William & Mary Bookstore. FREE!! CHILDREN S' BIKE RIDE - Children welcome to ride with their parents 1-12 miles on the Virginia Capitol Trail with riders from Williamsburg Area Bicyclists.  Meet at 2 p.m. at Jamestown High.  FREE HELMETS while they last.  Refreshments.  Call 229-4907   DRUMMER'S CALL -  A demonstration of soldiers and their field music from various military units active during the American Revolution.  11 a.m. at the... 05/17/2008

   Traditionally, one of the steps of the settlement process is the property survey.  A professional surveyor diagrams the property to be purchased, and notes features which may not otherwise be discovered prior to closing.  For instance, a recorded easement by a public utility would be detected by a title examination in the courthouse, but not a fence that was mistakenly installed by a neighbor several feet over the property line. Many people don't realize that in many cases surveys are no longer required by the mortgage company in order to close on resale homes.  Enhanced lender title insurance policies which are now used by most settlement agents simply "insure over" many of the minor infractions (fences, sheds, etc.) commonly discovered by a survey.  And, while I'm all for saving a ... 05/11/2008

 1.    What methods should be used to accurately pinpoint the value of myhome? In this fast-paced market, how can I be certain that I'm getting topdollar? How often are low appraisals encountered?2.    What repair issues might I face as a result of a home or termite andmoisture inspection performed after I've already negotiated price andterms?3.    Are there any fees that will be charged above and beyond the brokeragefee? If so, what will they be used for? What's included in the brokeragefee?4.   Specifically, how will my home be marketed, and how will results bemeasured? What types of marketing materials will be used (e.g. Willhighlight sheets include room dimensions and multiple photos?)5.    Will I have exclusive representation, or is it possible that my agent could bea dual agent, j... 05/07/2008

I am often asked..."What improvements should I make to make to my home that would yield he most value when it's time to sell?"  What a great question!  The least expensive investments with the greatest returns are undoubtedly the following:    1.  Fresh paint.  Choose a neutral color, and give the interior a bright new look.  You may want to consider doing some early packing, and not re-hang all of your pictures.  Less clutter will make rooms appear larger, and the new owner will appreciate not having to fill holes.2. Landscaping.  A carefully manicured lawn, and weed-free beds are an indication that the property is well cared for.  Mulch and some color in the flower beds go a long way toward creating that important curb appeal. 3.  Replace carpet and vinyl.  New flooring in a neutral c... 05/05/2008

  The following are the residential tax rates for various cities in Hampton Roads Virginia.  The rates are per $100 of assessed value. Not bad...  Chesapeake$1.04http://www.chesapeake.va.usFranklin$0.90http://www.franklinva.com/Gloucester County$0.57http://www.co.gloucester.va.us/Hampton$1.06http://www.hampton.va.us/Isle of Wight County$0.52http://www.co.isle-of-wight.va.us/James City County$0.77http://www.jccegov.com/Newport News$1.10http://www.nngov.com/Norfolk$1.11http://www.norfolk.gov/Poquoson$0.81http://www.ci.poquoson.va.us/Portsmouth$1.26http://www.portsmouthva.gov/Southampton$0.68http://www.southamptoncounty.org/Suffolk$0.94http://www.suffolk.va.us/Virginia Beach$0.89http://www.vbgov.com/Williamsburg$0.54http://www.ci.williamsburg.va.us/York County$0.6975http://www.yorkcounty.g... 05/04/2008

 Moving day can be very stressful...here are a few tips to make it go more smoothly: Prepare for a good night's sleep!  Designate one or two drawers of a piece of furniture for sheets and towels so that you won't have to rummage through boxes to make up your bed for your first night in your new home.  Pack heavy items in small boxes, and light items in large boxes. Tape down the lids of liquid medicines, glues, craft supplies, cosmetics, etc.  Check with your mover in advance about what they will not transport; most movers will not transport paints, aerosols, ammunition, and many cleansers. Help your kids say good-bye.  Buy a disposable camera, and take one trip around town to snap a photo of their school, favorite restaurant, your old house, friends, etc.  Make sure they have the phone... 04/30/2008

Very, very few people are qualified to sell their home without the help of a real estate professional.  And, unfortunately, many people who believe they are saving money... aren't.  In fact, they may be surprised at just how much it's costing them to go it alone. Here are some of the reasons that a professional Realtor is invaluable:                                 1)  Pricing in this market is tricky.  Setting a price on your home takes an insightful analysis of not only past sales, but current pending sales.  Many for sale by owners are actually over pricing their properties right now, because they don't have the experience or access to the right data in order to accurately determine market value. In addition, we are also seeing approximately 1 in every 5 appraisals coming in low, som... 04/29/2008

Last week, the Daily Press front page boasted a headline "Area Home Sales Down 23%!"  Reporter Chris Flores went on to regale the grim declining housing market.  If you read the article carefully, you could pick out the nuggets that should have made the headlines...such as Hampton Roads Makes Top Ten of Least Riskiest Markets for Foreclosures!orDespite National Housing Slump, Local Area Median Prices Remain Steady!orPeninsula Real Estate Market Outperforms the State and the Nation!  But, no.  Flores chose to lump together Peninsula housing statistics with Southside statistics, suggesting a far worse picture than the truth.  Here is what you need to know:  On the Peninsula, closings are down about 14%, a carry over from a sluggish final quarter of last year and slow start in 2008.  And, ... 04/28/2008

 That's what you'll say after you see 207 THOMAS NELSON DRIVE in WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA!!!Positioned perfectly on .46 meticulously landscaped acres. This brick ranch home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 baths! Yes, 3 FULL baths, now you won't find that anywhere in the colonial neighborhood of Skipwith Farms. Skipwith Farms is one of The City of Williamsburg's oldest neighborhood. You will love the convenience, character and benefits of living in the City of Williamsburg Virginia. This includes free trash and leaf removal and no Homeowner Association dues!! Sounds good? Well, that's not all, 207 Thomas Nelson Drive has been extremely well cared for and the pride of ownership shows. Make it a point to see this home! I promise, you will not be dissappointed! Allow me to share this beautiful Home For S... 04/18/2008