MOVING TO WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA? HERE ARE NEED TO KNOW PHONE NUMBERS in JAMES CITY COUNTY
8 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 28 2008 09:22PMFUN DAYS in OCTOBER
FUN DAYS in OCTOBER!
October is probably most known for the holiday that falls on the last day of the month, Halloween. But, there are many more days and weeks that October is known for according to Brownielocks.com.
Did you know that October is designated as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? It is also Celebrate a Sun-Dried Tomato Month, Eat Better, Eat Together Month, National Chili Month, National Seafood Month and National Roller Skating Month. 
There are also many special weeks in October. There's National No Salt Week (2-9), Fire Prevention Week (5-11), National Chestnut Week (12-18), World Rainforest Week (13-19), and Peace, Friendship and Good Will Week (25-31).
Here are some more special days in October:
1 Balloons Around the World Day
2 Guardian Angels Day
8 International Top Spinning Day (Also Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work and School Day)
14 Be Bald and Free Day
15 National Grouch Day
19 Evaluate Your Life Day
24 International Bandanna Day
30 National Candy Corn Day
31 Frankenstein Friday and of course, HALLOWEEN!
Happy all of these days to you!!
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
Yvette Smith@lizmoore.com
10 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 28 2008 08:25PMWHO WILL BE THE LAST REALTOR SITTING?
WHO WILL BE THE LAST REALTOR® SITTING?
WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS, WILL YOU HAVE A CHAIR?
Wikkipedia says...
Musical chairs is a game played by a group of people (usually children), often in an informal setting purely for entertainment such as a birthday party. The game starts with any number of players and a number of chairs one fewer than the number of players; the chairs are arranged in a circle (or other closed figure if space is constrained; a double line is sometimes used) facing outward, with the people standing in a circle just outside of that. A non-playing individual plays recorded musicor a musical instrument. While the music is playing, the players in the circle walk in unison around the chairs. When the music controller suddenly shuts off the music, everyone must race to sit down in one of the chairs. The player who is left without a chair is eliminated from the game, and one chair is also removed to ensure that there will always be one fewer chair than there are players. The music resumes and the cycle repeats until there is only one player left in the game, who is the winner.
When I was a child, I loved musical chairs. The anticipation of going around and around, wondering and hoping that I get the last chair. So, how do you calculate your next move? Are you going to fight it out or just be left without that chair. Are you going to ask someone to help you? Bail you out? Get you a chair? Or will strategically place yourself in the position to be the last person sitting?
The number of agents are decreasing, not as many as it use to be. Have they given up? Well, I'm not a quitter. Would you entrust the purchase or sale of your home to a quitter? Certainly not. Let the music play on!
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
YvetteSmith@lizmoore.com
19 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 26 2008 10:46PMREAL ESTATE CLOSINGS: 5 STEPS for SMOOTHER Closings
5 TIPS for a Smoother CLOSING
Just as there are things that buyers can do to insure a smoother settlement, preparation will also benefit the seller. Here are a few of the most common last minute snags:
1. If you are moving out of town, be sure to have your closing documents prepared in advance. If you are already living in a different area, allow ample time for turnaround on overnight deliveries. An original, properly notarized deed will be required for closing. Most localities require that the documents are signed with BLACK INK. I know a story of out of town sellers who returned a deed signed in green ink! The closing attorney in Poquoson could not record it. So, be sure to clarify signing instructions with your settlement agent. Also, if your deed has been signed by a power of attorney, the original power of attorney will be required in order to record the deed.
2. Coordinate the timing of your final house payment, especially if you are closing between the 1st and the 15th of the month. Your settlement agent will request a "payoff" from your mortgage company, which will be used to calculate your net proceeds. If you do make a payment, you need to be sure that it gets properly posted and that your payoff is adjusted accordingly.
3. If you have an FHA loan, it is critical that the payoff is received by your mortgage company by the 1st of the following month, or you will incur an additional 30 days of interest and I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want that! This will mean closing at least 3 days before the end of the month, and making sure that your settlement agent records immediately and overnights your payoff. As a rule of thumb, closing should be the third week of the month which allows sufficient time to compensate for any last minute issues.
4. In Virginia, it's customary for sellers not to attend the actual closing. So, it's important that you arrange to review the HUD statement (the summary of all closing charges) in advance. Because HUD's are rarely available until hours before the closing, be sure that your agent can reach you on the day of closing to review the figures.
5. It takes a day or so for the settlement agent to record the new deed (depending on what time the buyer closed, and locality), and issue your proceeds check. Make arrangements in advance for how you would like to receive your funds. Whether it be over-nighting your check to you or having your agent physically pick it up and get it to you, that should be addressed in advance. If you need your funds wired to you to accomplish the closing on your new home, make certain that both parties understand that well in advance. Refund of any monies that you have in escrow can take up to 30 days, depending on your mortgage company.
Knowledge is power! Ask questions!! Be pro-active!! The more that you know (in advance), the SMOOTHER the transaction will be.
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
10 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 25 2008 07:24PM"TODAY" in WILLIAMSBURG
"TODAY SHOW" in WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA
Today, I was in COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG waiting for AL ROKER and MATT LAUER at 5:30a.m. Along with my fellow REALTORS® of LIZ MOORE and ASSOCIATES, signs in tow with coffee and donuts, we waited patiently for our moment of fame on the TODAY SHOW!! I woke up at 4:30a.m. so I could have enough time to put my face on...just in case I got a closeup:o)
UPDATE: HERE'S MY PICTURE...LOOK HOW HAPPY I AM AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING!!
EARLY MORNING PICTURES...
Colonial Horse & Buggy
LOCAL WEATHERMAN 
Girl in Colonial dress
GEORGE WASHINGTON OR AL ROKER!!!
IT'S MATT LAUER!!!
The crowd was great. We had so much fun!! Folks with voting signs, lots of students from William & Mary (with "mom please send money signs!"), teachers, children, a guy with a "looking for a wife" sign and everyone in between. I hope you've enjoyed the pictures as we enjoyed being there!! Now, on to my nap!
Courtesy of Yvette Smith SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
16 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 24 2008 09:23AMGHOSTS IN WILLIAMSBURG?
GHOST WALKS in WILLIASMBURG
TAVERN GHOST WALKS in WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA
Take a chilling prowl through Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area on a Tavern Ghost Walk. Your guide will tell dramatic tales of the ghosts that are said to still haunt modern Colonial Williamsburg's taverns and sites. The Historic Area is full of current accounts of mysterious 18th century ghosts and the occasional story of familiar contemporary spirits.
Guests on the family friendly ghost walk will each receive a collectible souvenir pin to commemorate the tour. The tour is offered in the evenings this fall beginning at 7 o'clock. The tour begins at Shields Tavern and are $12 for those age 12 and over and $7 for those between ages 6 and 11. Free for children under 6. Call 1-800-HISTORY for your reservation.
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
12 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 23 2008 12:58PMCOLONIAL HERITAGE...A WILLIASMBURG NEIGHBORHOD
COLONIAL HERITAGE
WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD
COLONIAL HERITAGE is an active adult gated community for age 55 and better! Located minutes away from COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG and PRIME OUTLETS as well as many other cultural and historical attractions.
695 Acres of lush greens and beautiful homes. There traditionally styled luxury homes, carriage homes and villas that surround 170 acre Arthur Hills golf course. The amenties: Heritage Clubhouse - 25,000 square foot elegantly appointed which features social, recreational and cultural events year 'round, a grand ballroom, fine and casual dining, card and billiard rooms, a library with computer stations, woodworking shop, arts and crafts room and a full time activities director; Four tennis courts; Athletic club; indoor and outdoor pools and community-oriented activities program to keep the busy bees busy!
Single family and townhomes ranging from the $300K. Special inentives are available on select inventory homes. The homes are low-maintanence, single-level living equipped with first floor master suites and open floor plans for great for entertaining. Homeowners are able to purchase golf memberships, however Colonial Heritage is also open for public play and evenst such as tournaments. There is a full practice facility including putting green and driving range. Are you convinced yet? If you'd like a personal tour, please call 757-753-7472.
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
YvetteSmith@lizmoore.com
9 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 22 2008 09:55AMUNDERSTANDING REAL ESTATE AGENT COMMISSION
UNDERSTANDING REAL ESTATE AGENT COMMISSION
Real estate brokerage companies and their agents typically charge for their servies on a commission basis. That commission rate is negotiable, of course, but each company typically establishes a commission schedule in order to be fair to clients and to ensure overhead and costs are covered - just a Wal-Mart does. If you are selling your home, seemingly the smart thing to do would be to just negotiate or choose the lowest commision rate. Right:? Well, not necessarily.
Generally speaking, there are two "sides" to a commission, the listing side and the selling side. The listing agent, the one marketing the property, offers to pay the buyer's agent a share of the commission if the buyer agent produces an acceptable buyer. Of course, those fees are further divided between the individual real estate agents and the companies for whom they work. Some firms elect to divide the brokerage fee equally: A listing firm may, for example, charge 6% commission, and offer the selling firm (the one who brings the buyer) 3% for an acceptable contract. Obviously, the purpose of this offer to split the commission is to provide an incentive to generate as much interest in the listing among cooperating firms as possible.
Other firms may elect to divide the brokerage fee unequally: for instance, they may charge the same 6% brokerage fee, but offer only 2.5% to the cooperating broker, keeping 3.5% in house. Other firms may charge, for example, a 4.5% or 5% brokerage fee, keep 3% in house, and offer the balance to the cooperating firm.
The reason this is important is the affect it has on the incentive to the agent bringing a buyer. As the market continues to balance out, and the available inventory of homes for sale continues to increase...buyers now have choices again when they are submitting offers. This means it important for listing agents and sellers to be mindful of how they position their listings in the marketplace. Unlike the bidding frenzy at the peak of the sellers' market, pricing, condition and offers of compensation will all take on additional significance in securing the best offer for the property.
Because real estate agents are typically commissioned, buyer agents usually charge their clients a negotiated commission, but expect to collect their fee from the transaction. If the amount offered by the listing firm is less than what they charge their client, they will either agree to lower their compensation, or they will look to collect it from the buyer. In some cases, the buyer is unable (or, in the case of VA financing, prohibited by law) to pay the difference, and may seek to offset the difference by making a lower offer on the property. Eigher way, it can have an unintended negative impact on the seller, as competing listings offereing higher commissions are options for the buyer.
Sellers should be careful to insure that they understand the "big picture" when negotiating commissions. What may seem to be a discount or savings may actually result in a listing being less competitive in the market. The best way to select an agent is to focus on the best strategy for maximizing your net profit from the sale...and not to assume that the lowest commission equals to the best deal!
One effective way to evaluate agency services and fees is to ask to see the agent's history of performance. 
An agent who is interviewing for the job of selling your home should be able to demonstrate statistically their firm's track record for what percentage of sales price they get for their sellers. A company that nets the seller an additional 2% on the bottom line and charges a brokerage fee that is one percent higher than some competitors is effectively "saving" the seller 1% over those competitors.
Regardless whether you select ME to market your property, to be an educated consumer and don't be afraid to ask your listing agent what split will be offered buyer's agents and whether that split is competitive. After all, it's your money. 
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
9 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 21 2008 09:24PMWILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD: THE VINEYARDS
WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD
THE VINEYARDS
THE VINEYARDS is a prestigious, private neighborhood of luxury homes on large lots. It has wide winding streets with beautiful brick homes and yards. Many estate type entrances and wooded lots. The exclusive WILLIAMSBURG WINERY is right next door. The neighborhood is just a hop, skip and jump from all WILLIAMSBURG shopping and restaurants.
There are approximately 100 homes built from 1990 to present. The prices range from $750K on up. Amenities are pool, clubhouse, playground and tennis courts. The Homeowner Association has quarterly dues of $375.
There are currently 6 homes for sale in The Vineyards. They range from $650K to $1.25M. There have been 2 homes that sold within the last year, 1 at $750K and 1 at $910K.
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
YvetteSmith@lizmoore.com
7 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 20 2008 09:00AMBuyers Need Buyer's Agents
A Buyer Agent
…why every
HOME BUYER needs one!
SMART BUYERS NEVER BUY A HOME ALONE!
Buying a home is probably the most important purchase you will ever make. Do you want to go it alone? Until a few years ago, home buyers had no choice. They decided upon a home to buy and negotiated the contract without representation. Now you, like the seller, can have someone on your side looking after your best interests.
71% of home buyers surveyed in a recent Gallup poll for the National Association of Realtors said they would use a Buyer Agent the next time they purchased a home.
There are literally hundreds of decisions to be made in the average real estate transaction. You proabably do this...what? Every 7 years or so? REALTORS® do it every day...And are pretty good at it!
Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
5350 Discovery Park Blvd
Williamsburg Virginia 23188
YvetteSmith@lizmoore.com
7 comments • YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE • September 19 2008 10:10AMContent © 2009 'Frequent Contributors'. Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
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