Latest News

Happy Halloween!

The staff at Ford's Colony First Choice Realty wishes you a Happy Halloween. May yours be filled with tricks and treats!

0 comments - Posted at 8:30 AM

Categories:

Why Put Your House on the Market During the Holidays?

Why Put Your House on the Market During the Holidays? Because buyers are serious, that's why!

By Diana Lundin From Realtor.com

A well-decorated home is enticing to buyers during the holidays.  With all of the chaos between now and New Year's, it seems it would be madness indeed to put a house for sale during the winter. But smart Realtors say it may just be the perfect time to put up the "for sale" sign.

One house-hunter turned real estate agent is Linda Kemp, who remembers she and her husband were transferred every couple of years and always right before the holidays.

"I have many fond memories of how beautiful the houses looked all decorated with lights and holiday garland," she recalled. "Many of the homes smelled of cinnamon and spices. All of my senses were in overdrive and I couldn’t wait to purchase a new home and lay down roots once again."

Now settled in the midwest in Naperville, Ill., she has resumed her real estate career and shakes her head in amazement when she watches her associates take their clients' homes off the market when winter rolls around.

"It's my experience, both personal and professional, that buyers who are looking at homes during this time of year are serious buyers indeed," she said. "I have watched homes sell right before Christmas. In fact, a few years back, one of my clients sold their home on New Year's Eve with the buyers signing a contract right there on the spot."

Los Angeles Realtor Lee Dworshak concurs. "Experience tells us that only the truly motivated home buyers and sellers are the ones who will be out there over the holiday season. While most folks close their doors just before Thanksgiving and don’t open them again until mid January, the folks that are willing to give of their time and perform the due diligence required during this period are really serious about buying or selling."

Don't Decline Showings

Kathy Keating, a Realtor in Boulder, Colo., believes there's always a buyer or a seller even during the holiday season so she doesn't enter into this time of year thinking it's going to be challenging.

Her advice? Make is as easy as possible to have a showing. Don't decline showings and don't put time limits on them.

"It's a numbers game," she says. "The more people you get in the door, the better chance of selling your home. And it only takes one buyer. As far as a seller, the inventory is at its lowest right now and people are getting nervous and either renting their homes or just taking them off the market. People would like to see new homes."

Karlene Smith, a Realtor in Warren, Penn., finds that families often come back to where they grew up during the holiday season. "And if they're thinking of making a move back, now is the time they will be looking," she said.

She agrees that those looking for homes are serious buyers but she cautions real estate agents make sure potential buyers are pre-approved.

"You do not want to put the sellers and their families out in the cold and snow for a showing unless the buyer is capable of purchasing," she said.

List Your Home with First Choice Realty

Listing your home with Ford's Colony First Choice Realty gives your home and prospective buyers many opportunities, incentives, and savings that other real estate companies do not.

To set up a listing appointment, please contact us by phone at (757) 258-4000.

For a current market value estimate of your home,  Click here for your free Comparable Market Analysis (CMA).

0 comments - Posted at 10:13 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Real Estate

Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone and Davy Jones of The Monkees - October 29th 2011 at 8 p.m.

Universally regarded as one of rock-and-roll's finest and most versatile entertainers, Peter Noone is second to none. Accompanied by his band, Herman's Hermits, Noone's performances are the stuff of legend, deftly delivering a broad palette of music, all gems that, through his voice, defined a generation. Rock's premiere raconteur packs plenty of puns but pulls no punches with his music. Joining Noone for this special evening is the one-and-only Davy Jones of the Monkees!

Truly a special night hosted by two iconic performers, this is one that will stir the soul and rekindle past glory!

For more information, visit http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/.

0 comments - Posted at 9:00 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Events

Gypsy Fire: Compañia Flamenca José Porcel - October 27th 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Flamenco choreographer extraordinaire José Porcel makes a brilliant return to North America with "Gypsy Fire," a thrilling work guaranteed to set your soul afire! The dances are evocative and exciting, blending traditional flamenco with some decidedly more contemporary music, moves and looks. The dancers in the company are first-rate: "lithe and accomplished."

Porcel choreographed his first work in 1991 but has kept his dance spirit alive as mostly premier or lead dancer with numerous world-class companies. Gypsy Fire: Flamenco at its best!

For more information, visit http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/.

0 comments - Posted at 10:10 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Events

Sentara Heart Hospital - Ranked Nationally Again

Every year, U.S. News & World Report announces their annual ranking of the nation's best hospitals.  For the 12th year, Sentara Heart Hospital ranks among the nation's top 50 our of 4,852 hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery - the only hospital in Virginia to make the list.

To read the complete article and for more information about the rankings, visit sentara.com/usnews.

0 comments - Posted at 10:01 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Events

James River Plantation Progressive Ghost and Spirit Tour - Saturday, October 22nd 2011 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

At the James River Plantation Country you will experience an evening of spirited tale telling with ghost "Tours-by-the-Owners" while visiting Piney Grove-1790, Ashland-1835 and Ladysmith-1857, and making exterior visits to Duck Church-1917 and Dower Quarter-1830.

You will hear the Legend of Rippons Run, visit the Harwood graveyard, visit the Southall slave graves and hear about the Beechwood Tragedy. The evening will conclude with hot Cider and homemade cookies!

This event may be arranged on other dates for private groups. Historic B&B lodging is available on the property - Please inquire.

Piney Grove at Southall's Plantation is a National Register landmark and an official site of Virginia's Civil Trails, Virginia's Bird and Wildlife Trail, Virginia's Time Travelers Program, and the Jamestown Discovery Trail.

For more information, visit http://www.pineygrove.com/.

0 comments - Posted at 9:57 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Events

Tony Bennett - October 21st 2011 at 8 p.m.

Tony Bennett is an artist who moves the hearts and touches the souls of audiences. He's not just the singer's singer but also an international treasure honored by the United Nations with its Citizen of the World award, which aptly describes the scope of his accomplishments.

Bennett's indelible renditions of songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "The Good Life" serve as musical gold standards. An artist in every sense of the word, Tony Bennett brings the wealth of his amazing life to bear on every song he sings. Expect this Renaissance man's return to be one of the true highlights of an extraordinary season.

For more information, visit http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/.

0 comments - Posted at 9:56 AM

Categories: Williamsburg Events