My New Blog

Are you looking for a condo near William and Mary college?  This new listing would be great fora William and Mary sudent.

It it located within 2 miles of William and Mary college.

It has 2 bedrooms, a sunroom, large great room with fireplace, huge master bedroom and an area that could be used as a computer or reading area.

Click on the link to see the MLS information on this beautiful condo near William and Mary College.

I might have to "eat my words" about home sales in Williamsburg Va.  I posted a blog in January of this year about home sales in Williamsburg.

In this blog I said that it might be 3 or 4 years before the values of homes in Williamsburg, Va will rise significantly. 

In July I posted this blog: What is my Williamsburg Va home worth. In it I explained how important it is to have a correct estimation of your homes value and noted that sales in Williamsburg have increased significantly during June and July while in other areas such as Hampton Roads, home sales had not increased as much as home sales in Williamsburg have increased.

So even though I hate to admit that I might have been wrong, I must confess that I am not too upset that I might have to "eat my words" about home sales in Williamsburg Va.

I helped my clients get a great deal on a waterfront home in Williamsburg.  It was not a foreclosure or a short sale it was a corporate relocation. 

The house that I'm speaking about was owned by an executive who took a job with another company.  When the previous owner transferred, his new company bought his house.  When a house is sold as a relocation, the corporation that owns the house does not want to have the expensed of owning and maintaining a house so that is why my clients got such a great deal on a waterfront home in Williamsburg. 

They paid more than 25% less than the previous owners were paid!

The pictures below are of the house that was a great deal on a waterfront home in Williamsburg.               

If you would like to learn more about homes that are corporate relocations, call Sybil at 757-897-5889.

I still believe that God Led me into Real Estate despite the struggles that I have faced since I first posted the blog God Led me into Real Estate in August 2009.

Since that post there have been many days when I wondered if God was still blessing my business as a REALTOR® in Williamsburg, Va.

In the original blog God led me into Real Estate, I commented:  "It's funny how He works things out sometimes, but when we look back at it, we can always see that He was working things together for our good (Romans 8:28)."  I also shared how I became convinced of His calling me into real estate while praying on the telephone with my prayer partner.

Today I read a blog by Matt Stigliano I've hit rock bottom a true allegory of my life in real estate.  This blog reminded me of how I felt a few months ago when I wrote the post I've been having a pity party lately.  In June, I followed that blog with What a difference three months can make in which I tell how quickly my business took a very positive turn.  I also read a blog today by Lisa Stafford Give it 100% or get out.

Lisa's blog reminded me once again that God is in control of everything in my life.  I read it today after hearing a message from Jon Ritner, our associate pastor at the Williamsburg Community Chapel, about being led out of slavery.  I realized again that everything that happens in our life not only happens for a reason but it happens at precisely the right time according to God's plan!

So I want to thank Matt and Lisa for reminding me again of God's sovereignty!

Click on the link below if you want to read my entire blog about how:

God led me into Real Estate

Call Sybil Campbell at 757-897-5889 or email me at sybilcampbell@cox.net if you need a Christian REALTOR® in Williamsburg, Va.

Is this website safe?

I received the email below a few days ago.  It promises to move a website up as much as 100 positions in a google search.  I am very suspicious when I receive an email like this. 

So I wonder if anyone can answer my question: "Is this website safe?"

Does anyone know if this website is for real, or could it be dangerous perhaps even carrying a virus?

If Link Juice were people
These kinds of links would be China
 
This is the coolest linking idea
I think I have ever seen for FREE traffic...
 
And it is from the GOVERNMENT no less!
 
Get the FREE "Authority Codes list here.
http://increase-your-web-traffic.com/
 
.EDU and .GOV backlinks are usually
seen as IMPOSSIBLE to get until now -
 
With the Authority Codes it's easy and the
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Do it now.
 
Just one of these powerful links could move
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Enjoy
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What is my Williamsburg home worth now?

During the last few years housing values have dropped throughout the entire nation. Areas such as Florida, California and Arizona had more foreclosures than other states. The saying "All real estate is local" is truer today than it has been in years. It is vital for you to know your home's value in our this market for many reasons including:

· Is your home adequately insured?

· Is your estate plan based on your home's ture current value?

· What is the equity in your home since home values have changed?

With this in mind you may be wondering "What is my Williamsburg Va home worth ?".

Our Williamsburg area housing market is quite unique; it has not always been in sync with the nation, the state or especially with the housing market in Hampton Roads. The disparity between the two markets may be due in part to the difference in demographics between the Williamsburg area and Hampton Roads area.

For the last several years there were more home sales in the Hampton Roads area than there were in the Williamsburg area. Many of those sales were short sales, foreclosures or bank owned homes and the fact that more houses were selling is partually due to the large military population in Hampton Roads.  On the other hand, there were less short sales and bank owned homes in Williamsburg than in Hampton Roads.

In Williamsburg VA many homes are owned by retirees and investors; there are also many second homes and vacation homes in Williamsburg.  Retirees don't usually move as often as younger home owners. When the housing market started to decline investors and second home buyers pretty much stopped buying property in the Williamsburg area. So when the number of sales in Williamsburg VA dropped sharply the result was a sharp decline in home values.  

The good news is that sales in the Williamsburg area have increased substantially during the last few months despite the fact that the housing market is declining on a national level as well as in Hampton Roads area.

So if you are askin yourself "What is my Williamsburg Va home worth now?", perhaps you would like to receive a complimentary CMA for your Williamsburg area home, Contact me, Sybil Campbell REALTOR®; I will be happy to schedule a time to preview your home in order and give you a detailed and accurate CMA!

My husband, sister-in-law and I spent last week cleaning out a home with more than 60 years of history.  We worked diligently to clean out my mother-in-law's home, who was recently place in an assisted living community so we decided to clear out the house in order to prepare it to be rented.  The house was built by my husband's parents in 1949 and they never moved so you can only imagine what kind of things I found.

My husband is quite a pack rat, but I have to admit that his mom gives new meaning to that phrase.  While I was cleaning out one of the closets in his mom's house, I actually found the receipt from the hospital when my husband was brought home as a baby.  He will be 60 next fall!!  When I told him that I had found that receipt, he said, " I'm pretty sure that they won't take me back now". 

While the job was exhausting both physically and emotionally it was great to have a little humor while cleaning out a home with more than 60 years of history!

I have a question for you: Can a REALTOR® sell a Williamsburg Va home at an open house? If your REALTOR®  says that open houses are for the agent and not the home owner, I can tell you that is not true for all REALTORS®.

I once sold a house to the first couple that came through an open house that I held for one of my sellers.

It happened like this:  I was holding an open house on a beautiful warm June day.  There happened to be another open house in the same neighborhood as myopen house so I decided to place a directional sign in front of the first open housein the neighborhood to point to my seller's house.  A young couple had just been through the first open house and I told them about my sellers's open house.  They followed me to the open house.  They absolutely loved the house and were able to puchase it! They are still thrilled with the house and I am so happy for them!

Now there are times when I am not able to hold an open house for one of my sellers but I have always been able to find an agent in my office to hold the open house for my sellers because, not only might they sell the listing but very often they are able to pick up additional clients that they met at an open house.

So I will say it again, the answer to the question Can a REALTOR® sell a Williamsburg Va home at an open house is definitely yes!

So if you currently own property in Williamsburg VA that you need to sell, contact Sybil Campbell for proven results!

I recently read an article by a home stager.   This article points out that staged homes sell more quickly and for a higher price than comparable homes that are not staged.

I have often seen statistics that claim staged homes sell more quickly and for a higher price.  I went to a listing appointment last weekend and my clients asked me specific things about preparing their home for sale.  After the listing appointment I began to ponder why staged homes sell more quickly and for a higher price.

So I thought about the psychology behind home staging:

•·     When a client lists their house it becomes a product for sale.

•·     What do other professionals do when trying to sell a product. 

•·     One of the most important aspects that retailers and restaurant owners consider is presentation.

•·     So how can I enhance the presentation of a house that I have listed for sale?

What is the buyer's experience when first arriving at the house and then when entering?  Most agents learn in real estate school that purchasing a home is a very emotional experience.  Since I have a background in psychology I thought about the things that trigger emotional experiences.

We experience things first by using one or more of the five senses:

•·     sight

•·     hearing

•·     smell

•·     taste

•·     touch

So keep this in mind when preparing a house for sale:

Usually the first of the five senses that is used is sight. The outside appearance of the house often referred to as curb appeal should be pleasing to the buyer's eyes! As soon as the buyer enters the house, the buyer will get a first impression of the condition of the house, so it is very important that the seller stage the part of the house that will be seen when a buyer first enters the house.

The second sense that a buyer will use is hearing.  What sounds first reach the buyer's ear when approaching a house and when the car door is opened?  Is the sound of a busy street or a peaceful sound like a fountain or bird singing?  When the buyer enters a house is there nice music playing?

A very important third sense is the sense of smell.  What does a buyer smell?  Is it the lovely smell of flowers in the garden or freshly mowed grass?   When a buyer enters the house, is their nose greeted with the smell of freshly baked cookies or a pie.  Can the buyer imagine walking into this house and sitting down to a delicious meal?

The fourth sense that a buyer might use is taste. Is there some sort of refreshment on the counter with a note for the buyer to enjoy?  Food triggers very strong emotional responses.

The fifth sense is touch may often be overlooked by a seller or agent. Consider this question: what will the buyer feel when touching the handrail, counter or door knob?  A doorknob should never be sticky, and all doors in the house should open freely.  The handrails should be smooth and the railings should be secure.

Just in case you are wondering, I am not a home stager and have never taken a class on staging.  This information is based solely my life experiences and what I have observed as a REALTOR®.

So if you or someone you know need(s) to sell a house in the Williamsburg area, contact Sybil Campbell REALTOR® at 757-897-5889 or by email: sybilcampbell@cox.net

If you are trying to sell your house or are planning to put on the market you may want to know how to make your home more desirable to buyers.

The following blog that I posted on active rain has some great articles that will help you learn How to make your home more desirable to buyers.

Sybil Campbell, REALTOR®, ABR, SRES 

Long and Foster REALTORS®  

(757) 897-5889

WHATEVER THE DIRECTION SYBIL CAN HELP YOU LOCATE THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS

                                     
www.buywilliamsburghomes.com

sybilcampbell@cox.net

licensed in Virginia and Florida

Things to know if you are visiting Williamsburg this summer.

There are many things to know if you are visiting Williamsburg this summer. Last summer I posted a blog about the best time to visit Busch Gardens and water country. I noted that there were less people at the two Williamsburg theme parks because the it was cool and overcast.

This list of things you need to know if you are visiting Williamsburg may help you deal with the heat:

• Freeze water bottles and carry them in a tote or backpack.
• If your schedule allows it leave during the middle of the day and come back in the evening.
  
• Rest in the shade at least once an hour if possible.
• Ride the Roman Rapids and the log flume.
• Wear sunscreen, a hat and cool loose clothing that breathes.
• The refreshment lines can be long, so plan ahead if you need to purchase something to drink.
• If possible leave during the middle of the day and come back in the evening.

These family members got soaked on the Roman Rapids!                                                                  

Many of the exhibits in Jamestown,Yorktown, as well as Colonial Williamsburg are outside so be prepared for more heat!

To learn more about Williamsburg visit History.org.

While you are in Williamsburg if you have the opportunity you might want to explore some of the beautiful waterways. 

What a difference three months can make!

On March 6, 2010 I posted a blog entitled  I've been having a pity party lately and I realized tonight what a difference three months can make!

The pity party I was having that day was partially due to my business being slower than what I would like it to be.  On May 15, 2010 a friend and neighbor called me saying that she and her husband wanted to see a house that was for sale in our neighborhood, Landfall at Jamestown.  The house was listed for $1,760,000.  I made arrangements to show them the house a couple of days later and it is under contract now.

This evening I was going through some old blogs and ran across the blog about the pity party.  I read it and realized that things can and often do change very quickly.  This particular change occured in a matter of months. 

So I repeat: What a difference three months can make and by the 20th of July, I should be having a celebration party. Would you like to come?

To learn more about the home that is under contract read my blog posted on June 9th: Beautiful waterfront home in Landfall at Jamestown.

If you need waterfront property and want to deal with an experienced waterfront specialist, contact me, Sybil Campbell, REALTOR® AT 757-897-5889.  LET ME BE YOUR REAL ESTATE COMPASS!

Chinese drywall in your home:

If you live in the Williamsburg area and have Chinese drywall in your home, James City County now has a dedicated web page that you can visit.  This web page provides information, advice and updates to affected residents in the Williamsburg area.

Furthermore, the county tax assessor's office has agreed to drop the tax assessment to $100 for every homeowner in James City County who has a home with Chinese drywall. 

Isn't it nice to get good news from local government?

To read more blogs I have posted about Chinese Drywall go to www.activerain.com/blogs/sybilcampbell and type chinese drywall in the search box.

The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will affect tourism.

The fact that the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will affect tourism is a huge problem for businesses and individual property owners in resort communities along the Gulf of Mexico. The first thought that entered my mind when I heard about the massive problem was that the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will affect tourism and property values in resort communities along the Gulf of Mexico.

A few questions came to my mind in regard to this dilemna:

• Are tourists are going to stop taking vacations?
• Where will the college spring break crowds go?
  
• Which other destinations will tourists and spring breakers choose for their vacations?
• How will the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico affect the time share business?
• Will the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico divert American tourists to other countries?

If we can predict the areas that will become more popular to the group of tourists who will be affected by the oil spill, we would be wise to invest in property in these areas.

As a REALTOR® in Williamsburg, Va let me suggest that Williamsburg is a great vacation destination with numerous hotel rooms, bed and breakfasts and time shares from which to choose.  While I do not typically find vacation rentals for clients, I can definitely recommend a few nice places to stay.  I wold also like to suggest that Williamsburg is a great place to invest in property for the long term!

Not only is Williamsburg a great tourist destination it is also a short drive to Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Washington D. C. several major airports, businesses and hospitals.

The picture above is an aerial view of the marina at a lovely upscale subdivision in the Williamsburg area called Governor's Land at Two Rivers. 

Governor's Land is a gated golf community with a private country club and marina.

For more information about property in the Williamsburg Va, area, contact Sybil Campbell, REALTOR® at 757-897-5889 or sybilcampbell@cox.net.