All posts in Uncategorized
Be the first to know what’s happening with real estate in your community!
Sign up to receive FREE emails when a neighbor’s home hits the market or goes under contract. Insider emails include price, photos, & home feature details. It’s a great way to stay on top of value trends & keep an eye on the market! There’s no cost & absolutely no obligation…simply call or send me your email address & neighborhoods you’d like to “scoop.” I look forward to adding you to our “first-to-know” list! It’s easy, just click the sign up button below.
Sign Up HereRead more
The Williamsburg real estate market and surrounding areas has really heated up. Inventory is low and homes are selling at a much faster pace than we have seen in years. This is great for sellers, but how does it affect buyers? Rates are also on the rise and low inventory is driving up values and prices. The chart below outlines how slight increases in interest rates can drastically affect your buying power. In short, if you are considering a purchase, now is definitely the time. As the overall economy improves, rates will likely continue to rise throughout the year.
Rent prices in the Williamsburg area has also continued to rise and in many cases, the cost of buying a home can be less that the cost of renting. I am happy to discuss the process with any potential first time buyer and explain the steps to becoming a homeowner. It is not as difficult as you may think. Williamsburg real estate is my specialty and can help you find the perfect fit and area for your needs.
For folks that already own a home, now is also a great time to upgrade or downsize if that is something you have been considering. Since the market is strong, it is not only a great time to buy, but also a great time to sell. Contact me today to discuss your real estate goals. As a native to the Williamsburg area having been in the business for nearly 20 years, I am certain I can help you reach them.
By Steve Vaughan
Modified:
Saturday, July 28, 2012 9:09 AM EDT
Originally Published: Saturday, July 28, 2012
After years of decline and stagnation, the local housing market picked up in the second quarter of the year.
According to figures offered by two pros and the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors, sales rose in the greater Williamsburg market, prices were stable and inventory on the market continues to shrink. All three are keys to recovery.
Read moreWith the blazing temperatures and high humidity we have all been experiencing, Dominion Virginia Power has put together a list of tips to help save money and energy this Summer:
- Raise your thermostat to 78º. If you are away from home for more than eight hours, raise the thermostat setting and you can expect to see up to a 3% savings on cooling costs for each degree of setback. This is the number one way to conserve energy. This will reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home while you’re away. You can learn more about your thermostat online by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy website.
- Keep shades closed when the air conditioner is on. Sunny windows account for 40 percent of unwanted heat and can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder.
- Check and clean filters. Cleaning and replacing air conditioning filters monthly allows the system to run more efficiently.
- Clear attic vents. If the home has an attic fan, make sure it is functioning properly.
- Install ceiling fans and make sure they are blowing down. Don’t underestimate the importance of ceiling fans. Moving air over the body provides a cooling effect. The use of ceiling fans can mean savings of around 25% on cooling costs and can make the temperature seem 10 degrees cooler. Most fans have a switch to change the fan direction. Make sure ceiling fans are blowing downward (in a counter-clockwise direction) to send air past your body.
- Postpone activities that require hot water and large energy use – such as washing dishes or clothes – to early morning or late evening. This will keep from adding more heat and humidity to the home. Use the dishwasher and clothes washer late in the evening. When used during the day, these appliances produce additional heat, causing your air conditioner to work harder.
- Use cold water to wash dishes and clothes. This will save on water heating costs.
- Avoid using the stove if possible. Consider grilling outside instead.
- Unplug equipment not in use. Electric chargers, televisions and audio/video equipment use electricity and produce heat even when they are not in use. Running an older refrigerator can use up to three times the energy of a modern one. Unplug any appliance when it’s not in use.
- Turn off lights. Turn lights off when exiting a room. They add to the heat in the home. Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent lights (CFLs). And remember to recycle CFLs whenever possible.
You can find out more information on their website by clicking here.
Holly Duke Miller is an Associate Real Estate Broker with Liz Moore and Associates in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is also a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist or SRES®. She specializes in homes for sale in Williamsburg, James City County, York County, New Kent County, and surrounding areas. She offers full service real estate support to both buyers and sellers of Williamsburg area homes and land. As a native to the area, Holly is very knowledgeable about the local market and takes pride in helping each and every client reach their goals. Whether you are considering buying a home in the Williamsburg area or have a property to sell, she looks forward to working with you. Please contact her anytime at 757-254-4354 or email her at hollymiller@lizmoore.com for all of your Williamsburg and surrounding area real estate needs.
Read moreI am often asked what improvements that a homeowner makes to a property have the 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 color allows the buyer to feel that they are moving into a “new” home.
All three of those improvements tend to encourage a full price offer on your property, because the prospective buyer is not moving in with a laundry list of “to-do’s” which are likely to be estimated at a higher cost than you’ll actually pay. By doing them in advance, you preclude a buyer for reducing his offer price by the amount he feels he’ll need to invest. Other additions that aid in marketability are minor kitchen and bathroom remodeling, such as replacing dated counter tops and appliances, and refacing/replacing out of style cabinets.
Carefully consider any major renovations such as room additions, garage conversions, swimming pools, etc. It’s important that you make those investments to enjoy while you are living in the home, because chances are that you will not recoup but a fraction of your cost. Garage conversions, for instance, may add a great bonus room or extra bedroom, but when it comes time to sell, you’ll have to subtract the value of the garage that you no longer have. If garages are customary in your area, the loss will most likely exceed the gain.
It’s also important to evaluate the improvement based on what is typical in your neighborhood…it is easy to fall into the trap of “over improving,” and ending up with the greatest home on the street, which is never a sound financial move.
With interest rates so low, your best bet is probably to take a serious look at moving up, rather than sinking a lot of expense into an existing home. A professional realtor can help you evaluate your prospective home improvement projects in advance, to make sure that you are enhancing your greatest asset!
Holly Duke Miller is an Associate Real Estate Broker with Liz Moore and Associates in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is also a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist or SRES®. She specializes in homes for sale in Williamsburg, James City County, York County, New Kent County, and surrounding areas. She offers full service real estate support to both buyers and sellers of Williamsburg area homes and land. As a native to the area, Holly is very knowledgeable about the local market and takes pride in helping each and every client reach their goals. Whether you are considering buying a home in the Williamsburg area or have a property to sell, she looks forward to working with you. Please contact her anytime at 757-254-4354 or email her at hollymiller@lizmoore.com for all of your Williamsburg and surrounding area real estate needs.
Read more