My Top Ten Questions on VA Loans - 08/31/10 07:59 AM
If you are in the military and have never had a VA loan, this list of questions is a great place to start. 
Check with your lender to make sure that he or she is experienced with VA loans!

Via Markita Aldridge-Woods: "Your Woodbridge FHA/VA Lender" (WestStar Mortgage):
My Top 10 Questions on VA Loans
 
1. What is a VA Home Loan?
A Veteran Home Loan is a zero money down home loan for veterans and active duty military (that meet certain service criteria). The loans are guaranteed by the Veterans Administration, but funded by lenders, credit unions, and banks.
2. … (0 comments)

My Top Ten Questions on VA Loans - 08/31/10 07:59 AM
If you are in the military and have never had a VA loan, this list of questions is a great place to start. 
Check with your lender to make sure that he or she is experienced with VA loans!
Via Markita Aldridge-Woods: "Your Woodbridge FHA/VA Lender" (WestStar Mortgage):
My Top 10 Questions on VA Loans
 
1. What is a VA Home Loan?
A Veteran Home Loan is a zero money down home loan for veterans and active duty military (that meet certain service criteria). The loans are guaranteed by the Veterans Administration, but funded by lenders, credit unions, and banks.
2. … (0 comments)

Google can be really difficult Part 2! - 08/30/10 11:23 PM
I posted this blog Google can be really difficult last week.  I have tried several times unsuccessfully to disable my Google alerts, but I continue to get them.
 
If anyone can tell me what I need to do to stop receiving updates for Google ad words and how I can disable Google alerts please let me know.  It really shouldn't be this difficult.
 
I know that this blog is somewhat repetitive but hopefully if I post enough blogs about my problems with Google, someone in the know will see it and help me!
I heard that Google … (5 comments)

12 most persuasive words in communication per Yale University - 08/30/10 10:40 PM
Use a combination of some of these 12 persuasive words to get more business or persuade your friends to do what you want them to do.

Via The Lori Bowers Group Paradise Properties:
Yale University recently did a survey in marketing and advertisements as well as communication to come up with the 12 most persuasive words in communication. By combining these word communication gets much higher results in getting people to do what you want. I have been using these words in business as well as personal relationships.
1. you
2. money
3. save
4. new
5. results
6. easy
7. health
8. … (3 comments)

12 most persuasive words in communication per Yale University - 08/30/10 10:40 PM
Use a combination of some of these 12 persuasive words to get more business or persuade your friends to do what you want them to do.
Via The Lori Bowers Group Paradise Properties:
Yale University recently did a survey in marketing and advertisements as well as communication to come up with the 12 most persuasive words in communication. By combining these word communication gets much higher results in getting people to do what you want. I have been using these words in business as well as personal relationships.
1. you
2. money
3. save
4. new
5. results
6. easy
7. health
8. … (0 comments)

Google can be really difficult! - 08/27/10 10:20 AM
Google can be really difficult!
 
Last night I posted a blog asking How to stop Google alerts.  I logged in to Google alerts this morning and it showed that I had no active alerts.  That is really strange because my email was being bombarded with notifications about the Google alert REALTOR in Williamsburg that I had disabled several weeks ago.

So I set up an alert for Sybil Campbell, REALTOR which I had set up before and had not disabled. 


I hate to say this, but Google can be really difficult!;  I just want to stop receiving … (3 comments)

How to stop Google alerts? - 08/26/10 11:04 PM
Can anyone tell me how to stop google alerts?
 
 
I set up several google alerts a couple of months ago and then decided I wanted to stop receiving emails from the google alert: "REALTOR® in Williamsburg".  I went back to Google alerts and tried to disable the alert for "REALTOR® in Williamsburg" but I keep getting emails from Google alerts.  It is really annoying to have to delete these emails so often!
 
So I ask you again, "Can anyone tell me how to stop google alerts".  I feel like a baby sometimes dealing with all of … (8 comments)

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads water activities - 08/20/10 01:26 PM
Williamsburg and Hampton Roads water activities:

 
Do you want to know more about Williamsburg and Hampton Roads water activities?  There are lots of options!
 
 
The picture to the left is the York River Yacht Haven in Gloucester Point.  It has full restroom and laundry facilities, a restaurant and a large ship's store.  There is also a fuel dock.  There are covered slips and open slips available for rent.
 
There are several sailing cruises in Hampton Roads.  If you would like to cruise the Hampton Roads Harbor on the Miss Hampton II.  This ship offers group cruises … (3 comments)

I might have to "eat my words" about home sales in WIlliamsburg Va - 08/19/10 12:37 AM
I think 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 … (0 comments)

Why You Should Purchase A Home In A Declining Market (Seriously) - 08/18/10 11:54 PM
I have to admit that a lot of this blog is a little about my head, I'm a REALTOR® not an accountant.  I decided to re-blog this post because I do believe in order to hedge against the ups and downs of the economy it is important to have some of our investments in something real like real estate or tangible like gold!
Via Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist (Logan Utah Real Estate The Platinum Real Estate Group):
Original Source: Why You Should Purchase A Home In A Declining Market
Okay, don't laugh at me, I am not one of those … (3 comments)

Condo near William and Mary college - 08/17/10 10:20 PM
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.
 
… (1 comments)

Social Media Marketing on Facebook - Is It Great Content or a Massacre - 08/17/10 07:32 AM
This is hilarious!
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
Facebook Friends and Fans Like Great Content not......Massacring. So what's the point of a cause if there is no affect? Does your Business really need a Fan Page and fans? Is it critical to your financial survival that you are "Liked" on Facebook? YES! But how much of the business information that you provide is being considered "great content" by fewer and fewer of your friends and fans? This video is thought provoking and fairly accurate. Do you know people using Social Media marketing in this way to massacre the masses? Oddly enough, … (3 comments)

Getting Started with Social Media can be overwhelming! - 08/16/10 01:46 AM
This blog is great for helping business people take social media one step at a time.
Via Douglas Lovitt (CENTURY 21 North Homes Realty, Inc.):
It's easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to establishing a social media presence.
The trick is to getstarted on the right foot and have a strategy before you take on too much! Don't think that you have to go build a dominating presence on every social network right-a-way.  You should start with the major networks:
Facebook LinkedIn Twitter My space Don't think that you need to get them all done at once.  Start by setting up your account in each of these and getting … (4 comments)

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 08/12/10 12:31 AM
In our Williamsburg MLS, we have he option to allow estimates to be made on our listing. I always advise my clients not to allow that!
Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate & Wake County (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling your home you more than likely have stumbled upon Zillow and thought you hit the mother-load of real estate information!  It's a fancy site with Zestimates, has homes marked on a map … (4 comments)

Do you like Gmail, yahoo or hotmail best? - 08/08/10 01:11 AM
Do you like Gmail, yahoo or hotmail best?  Or do have another favorite email.
 
I would like to start a new for my real estate business .  It needs to be compatable with both OUTLOOK and MAC mail.
I would love to hear your comments. 
 
I currently have a gmail account but would like to explore other options. What is your preference and why?
 
Thanks in advance for all of your help!
 
… (14 comments)

What is the difference between the soul and the spirit? - 08/04/10 06:20 PM
What is the difference between the soul and the spirit? In Hebrews we read that the Word of God can actually divide the soul and the spirit.
When God made man, He made man in His own image.  I believe that means that he created man to be triune, just as He is.
As God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we humans are body, soul and spirit.
So what is the difference between the soul and the spirit?
To truly understand the difference it is important to understand the meaning of the Greek words for soul and spirit.  The New … (8 comments)

Is The Worst Behind Us? Real Estate Experts Sound Off - 08/04/10 05:59 PM
As I point out in this blog: the real estate market in Williamsburg Va has definitely taken a turn in the right direction.  Is the worst over?  I don't think until prices and sales have stabliized or continued to appreciate for a year.
Via Helen Oliveri (The Helen Oliveri Team of Keller Williams Realty ):
Congratulations to Helen Oliveri who was recently featured in This Chicago Agent Magazine Article on how she is excelling in a tough market. Helen was one of only 6 people featured as a real estate expert amongst her peers. What a nice tribute!

You can pose the question of … (1 comments)

How to Use Twitter (in my humble opinion) - Tip #2 - Panning for Gold Nuggets - 08/04/10 05:53 PM
This blog does a good job of explaining how to manage Twitter rather than being overwhelmed by it.
Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):
Although the title of this post says “Tip #2″, it could rightfully be called “Tip #0.5″ since it probably should have come before my first post on this topic. 
One of the biggest points of confusion/complaint with Twitter is this one:
“How can I possibly keep track of hundreds or thousands of people and their tweets?”
Well, you can’t.  So, I would highly recommend using a tool to screen out … (2 comments)

Son buy land, God isn't making any more of it! - 08/04/10 03:11 PM
Son, buy land, God isn’t making any more of it”.
As a young boy my husband's grandfather said to him, “Son, buy land, God isn’t making any more of it".  It turns out that his grandfather was right.  He died in 1988 at age 96, with a net worth of over a million dollars, and he accomplished all that with only a sixth grade education.
Real estate continues to be a solid long term investment even in today's market.  The real estate market is cyclical.
 
 
In the current market, many sellers are so anxious to sell that they are … (0 comments)

Pricing Your Kitchen Remodel – 5 Factors to Keep in Mind - 08/04/10 02:38 PM
If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen it is important to make sure that your new kitchen will increase the overall value of your home.
 
Via Valerie Fitzgerald | Beverly Hills | Westside Los Angeles (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):
Homeowners who are looking to remodel their kitchen should keep the following factors—that can significantly affect the price of their remodel—in mind as they begin to make plans to upgrade their kitchen. According to Kitchen Tune-Up, homeowners should pay attention the following five factors before they begin a renovation.
1. Wood species or cabinet covering material. The material that covers the cabinet … (0 comments)

Ever heard of RPAC? - 08/04/10 02:29 PM
Have you ever heard of RPAC? I would venture to guess that unless you are a REALTOR®, you probably have not ever heard of RPAC.  RPAC stands for Realtor Political Action Committee, and is one of the largest political action committee in the U.S.   RPAC could be called the muscle behind the National Association of REALTORS®. RPAC represents over 400,000 politically active REALTORS® that members of Congress and political leaders want as their friends. We, REALTORS® know that without you we would be out of work, so we are constantly looking for ways to help people realize the American dream of … (1 comments)

Williamsburg and James City County school information - 08/04/10 02:10 PM
Click on the link for Williamsburg and James City County school information.
This link has information on York County Schools.
This link includes information about New Kent County Schools.
Many of the schools in Williamsburg, James City County, York County and New Kent County have excellent reputations and as a result the schools in these areas make your home more attractive to prospective buyers.
If you want information about buying or selling property in the Williamsburg Va area, call Sybil Campbell at 757-897-5889 or send an email to sybilcampbell@cox.net.
 
 
… (1 comments)

"What is my Williamsburg Va home worth?" part 2 - 08/03/10 09:10 AM
I recently posted a blog, "What is my Williamsburg Va home worth?", In this blog I noted that when pricing a home it is vital that a REALTOR® understand the local real estate market and trends in order to price a house correctly.
 
This morning I read a blog by Endre Barath Jr about "reverse offers made by the seller".  Endre describes a situation in which a seller makes an offer on his/her own property to get the negotiating started.  He also notes that if a property is priced correctly in the first place then the reverse offer would … (0 comments)

Williamsburg real estate market - 08/02/10 01:14 PM
The Williamsburg real estate market is definitely picking up!  One thing that we can count on about the bottom of the real estate market is that we won't know when we have hit bottom until sales and prices have been going up for about a year.
 
 
Our residential sales in Williamsburg have been high all summer, despite the fact that the first time home buyer tax credit has expired.  

 
So it seems that the Williamsburg real estate market has taken a turn for the better!
 
If you own property in the Williamsburg area and have … (2 comments)