My New Blog

Yes, I am getting more ideas from a book I am reading.  Okay...I am not reading.  I am listening to it in my car while taking photos of comparable sales in Stonehouse.  The CD is What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis.  It states, "Free is a business model", and "Give the people control, we will use it". 

So, What Would Google Do with timeshare information?  They would probably make it available to everyone for free.  My goal for tracking resales of timeshare units was to educate buyers and sellers, and make the market work with open information.  The timeshare market is difficult to track and there is not reliable information available.  Most of the "free" timeshare reports on the internet are put there by companies wanting to sell, or buy your timeshare. 

Therefore, I am putting the information I have on my site for free.  Use it to negotiate a purchase, or link to it to show your timeshare is priced right.

What else would Google do?  They would probably put ads on the site to offset some of the cost of the research.  So don't be surprised if you see a couple of ads on the "free" information page. You have control, now use it!

Free Timeshare Reports

Is the Williamsburg real estate market giving you a headache?  Here are several suggestions from Beth Hertzler, Certified Transfigura Regeneration Therapist and Instructor, on ways you can help your headache naturally.

Learning to listen to the signals you are receiving allows you more control in releasing pain.  The reason your body is experiencing the headache is because it is trying to tell you something.  Stress and tight muscles in the neck and shoulders are often a contributing factor.  Giving your body the opportunity to release the stress and loosen the muscles will help the body know that you have heard its message.  A warm bath, a relaxing walk in nature, a neck and shoulder rub are just a few ways that can help.  Your body also has energy lines that run from your feet up to your head.  These lines are called MERIDIAN lines.  By pressing different points on the meridian lines you can release built up energy, stress or tension and therefore help begin the healing process.  

Here are a few points to press in the case of a headache.  If you place both hands on the back of your neck, fingertips touching the upper spine, you will feel where the spine meets your skull.  Simultaneously, move your fingers from the indented ridge of the skull just about 2 fingertip widths along the bottom edge of the skull.  You might feel that these points are VERY sensitive and that is your signal that you have found the points to press.  You might ask, "Why would I press on an area that is painful and sensitive?", my response is, "Because it is a way to release the build up in the energy line (meridian)."  By pressing on the points until the pain or sensitivity is less, you are giving your body the message that you do not need the headache anymore to let you know that an area is blocked.  

Another area to try is at the inside edges of each eyebrow.  Place a fingertip on each inside edge of each eyebrow, pressing and massaging the points.  Just a reminder that these points might be painful, but by pressing and massaging them, the body moves the blockage and opens up the flow in the energy line. 

Remembering to listen to your body's messages will help you learn what it is trying to tell you.       

Find out more about Beth Hertzler and Transfigura Regeneration at www.HertzlerAppraisals.com/RegenerationTherapy

Do you own a timeshare unit in Powhatan Plantation or Greensprings Plantation in Williamsburg, Virginia? There are many ways a Quarterly Timeshare Report can save you money. 

1.  If you are going through a divorce you can pay $350.00 for a professional appraisal opinion, or you can download a QTR for $5.00.  Use it to show how much other owners received for their timeshare units.

2.  Are you looking to purchase a timeshare unit?  Download a report for your negotiations with the seller.  Don't overpay!

3.  Want to sell your timeshare?  Because of the large number of units for sale, you must price your timeshare properly, or it won't sell.  See how much other individual owners got for their units. 

4.  Giving your timeshare to charity and want to declare it on your taxes?  Use the report as a basis for a value to give to your accountant.  A full appraisal may be needed if you declare too much, check with your accountant.  However, below a certain dollar value no appraisal is needed.  Use the report to see if it looks like it will appraise for more, or for support for the value you estimated on your taxes.

If you are in any of the situations above, the QTR can save you money.  Click on the link below to see the report instantly, and then mail $5.00 to Hertzler & Associates, Real Estate Appraisers, Inc.

www.hertzlerappraisals.com/timesharequarterlyreport

For a limited time we are offering our report for $5.00.  We are so convinced that it will be helpful to you we are letting you download instantly with no personal information, or registration needed.  If the report was helpful to you, send $5.00 to us.  If it wasn't helpful, do nothing, or send us feedback on what you would like to see.

We think we have a product like no other!  If you have a timeshare in Powhatan Plantation or Greensprings Plantation Diamond Resorts in Williamsburg see what others are selling for.

If you are a member of a timeshare online community link to this blog, and tell them how to get accurate timeshare information.  We do not sell or buy timeshares.  Hertzler & Associates, Real Estate Appraisers is your "voice of reason", and trustworthy information source. Click the link below to download the report.

www.hertzlerappraisals.com/timesharequarterlyreport

Below is a table showing sales over the past year of detached single family dwellings in Fords Colony. 

Based on the most recent quarter of sales, at an absorption rate of 4.33 units per month, there appears to be a nearly 32 month supply of inventory in Fords Colony.  However, when homes are priced correctly, the Median Days on Market for the most recent quarter is 152 (under 6 months).  The period of 4 to 6 months prior resulted in only four sales through the Williamsburg Multiple Listing Service.  This appears to be due in part to the time of the year (November 25, 2009 to February 24, 2010) when sales volume is typically lower. 

Although the most recent quarter still has a lower sales volume than the Prior 7 to 9 months, and 10 to 12 months periods, Pending sales are encouraging.  There are currently eleven pending sales in Fords Colony with a median list price of $599,900, and days on market of 95.  This should increase the absorption rate for the upcoming quarter, and hopefully lower the inventory levels.  

I have just started reading a great book, titled The Mom & Pop Store by Robert Spector.  The cover says, "How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving".  You can purchase the book from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Mom-Pop-Store-American-Surviving/dp/0802716059, or check it out from the library.

Williamsburg has many great Mom and Pop stores. One of the quotes from the book says, "If your neighbor has it to sell, give him your business. Like consideration from your neighbor adds prosperity to both."

Here are a few local businesses in one shopping center (7127 through 7131 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA  23185) that I think deserve your business. 

Queen Anne Dairy Snack -  I stopped in today and got a small cup of soft ice cream.  It was great!!!  A quote from a Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2225222852, Number 225 (You know your from Williamsburg when...) says, "You know that Queen Anne dairy snack, even while looking like a deserted trucker stop, has the best ice cream, burgers, fries, and onion rings in all of the east coast."

Beauty Bar (also known as Jade Essentials) - Stop in and get your hair cut from Melanie Dickens.  She does a great job, and also does a lot of local charity work. See her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Williamsburg-VA/Jade-Essentials-LLC-Hairstylist-Makeup-Artist-Melanie-Dickens/32091969155. 

Aladdin Consignment - Stop in and see Mary Anne and Lori.  They have a great selection of high end furniture at great prices.  Visit their website at http://www.aladdinconsignment.com/. 

Just a few of many fantastic local businesses.  Shop locally and help our community.

Real estate sales figures from the City of Williamsburg show a decline in values over the past year.  I researched sales over the past year for detached single family dwellings built prior to 1981.  Here are the results:

	Prior 7 to 12 Months	Prior 4 to 6 Months	Prior 3 Months
Total Number of Sales	6	4	3
Absorption Rate Per Month	1	1.33	1
Total Number of Listings			25
Months of Housing Supply			25
Median Sales Price	$337,500	$229,125	$215,000
Median Sales Day on Market	139	109	137
Median List Price			$554,500
Median Listing Days on Market			180
Median Sales Price as % of List Price	92.6%	89.9%	93.5%

Although the information listed above looks real bad with the drop of median sales price in the first half of 2009 at $337,500, and the last quarter of 2009 at $215,000, it is not as bad as it seems.  It appears that the homes under $250,000 are still selling well, and the higher end homes are not moving.  This is shown in the active listings with a median price of $554,500, and a days on market of 180.  In order to increase sales in the upper end homes, some will need to be priced more reasonably. 

Based on appraisals of properties at the high of the market, and again in the current market, it appears there has been a depreciation of value of the higher end homes (built prior to 1981), in the City of Williamsburg, between 10 and 15%.

There are several houses currently on the market, within the City limits, that I can't believe haven't sold yet, at the current pricing.  If you are interested in moving into the City, now might be the time.

I recently completed an appraisal in Skimino Landing Estates in upper York County, Virginia.  The table below shows trends for the subdivision over the past year.

Skimino Landing Estates

	Prior 7 to 12 Months	Prior 4 to 6 months	Prior 3 Months
Total Number of Comparable Sales	2	1	2
Absorption Rate	.33	.33	.67
Total Number of Comparable Listings			6
Months of Housing Supply			9
Median Comparable Sales Price	$559,000	$539,000	$481,500
Median Comparable Sales Days on Market	209	85	370
Median Comparable List Price			$632,500
Median Comparable Listing Days on Market			49
Median Sales Price as % of List Price	94%	100%	93%

Absorption rates have increased from 0.33 for the first three quarters of the year, to 0.67 for the last quarter of 2009.  It appears the increased sales are attributed to the lowering of prices in the subdivision (median sales price trended down).  When priced correctly, it appears there is a market for the homes.  Based on an absorption rate of 0.67, and six current listings, this calculates to a 9 months supply of inventory.

The 2009 3rd Quarter Timeshare Report for Powhatan Plantation and Greensprings Plantation is now available.  We have improved upon the layout, and added additional information.  Not only do we have all resales, above $500, for Powhatan Plantation and Greensprings Plantation, we now include the initial purchase from the developer, and the most recent resale price as a percentage of the initial purchase price.  

There were thirteen resale transfers above $500 in Powhatan Plantation during the third quarter of 2009, and 4 resales from Greensprings Plantation.  Also included in the report is the 4th Quarter report from 2008.  Reports are $24.99.

Don't buy or sell a timeshare without knowing what range others are selling.

Don't forget to take the time to vote on Tuesday November 3, 2009.

Find your polling place information. Here is a link to the Virginia State Board of Elections http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Index.html.