Welcome to the Liz Moore Insider!

Liz Moore & Associates agent Deelyn Neilson recently presented a 2 hour in-depth review of local market trends and statistics, focusing specifically on the Fords Colony market.  The event was hosted in a meeting room in the Fords Colony Clubhouse, and was attended by over 50 Fords Colony residents.  Neilson is a 14 year Fords Colony resident, as well as Liz Moore & Associates Top Overall Agent in 2009.

“I have fielded so many questions about values in Fords Colony, as well as the impact of the bankruptcy announcement on real estate activity,” says Neilson, “that I decided the community would appreciate a forum to take a closer look at the trends.”  Neilson’s presentation included an in depth analysis of data such as days on market, price per square foot, sales price to list price ratios, etc.  She also focused on the most important steps a homeowner could take to enhance market value.

The seminar was very well received!  “We had standing room only,” reports Neilson, “and many requests to make this a quarterly event.”  Interested in an e-mailed version of Neilson’s presentation?  You can contact her at deelynneilson@lizmoore.com, or by visiting her website at www.PremierWilliamsburgRealEstate.com.

We are very excited to be running a new and improved company ad in the Virginia Gazette!  We have moved to a full color, FULL PAGE ad twice a month.  This new look gives us the opportunity to advertise more listings, run new agent announcement ads, showcase client testimonials, feature our Collection listings and highlight articles…all on the same page!  Be sure to look for our new ad in the Gazette the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

At our company sales meeting in June, the agents (led by team leader, Belinda Chandler) presented two checks to Karen Gershman from CHKD.  One was for $1,100, which is the proceeds of the raffle for our Holiday float parade house.  Bob and Teresa Sullivan were the lucky winners of the playhouse, and Debi Warren was recognized as the top raffle ticket seller.  Liz and her husband Roger will be cooking a special dinner for Debi, Belinda, and the Sullivans in recognition of their exceptional efforts on behalf of CHKD.

The second check was for $8,600, and represented the fundraising efforts of the Liz Moore team for the past year.  One Friday each month is ear marked as a “dress down day” and agents and staff can dress casually in exchange for “buying” a “We Do it For the Kids!” button for $20.  A number of agents and staff also contribute regularly to CHKD through payroll deduction.

Next year, the company is planning a community gala as their big fundraiser, and the team is exploring venues such as the Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre.

Liz Moore & Associates is thrilled to announce the launch of its third “virtual office,” www.TheSavvyFirstTimeHomebuyer.com.

What is a “virtual office?”  It’s an online real estate brokerage effort, dedicated solely to serving a specific niche in the market.  Research and experience has taught us that consumers today want REALTORS who are specialists in their field of endeavor.  And so, Liz Moore & Associates is giving consumers what they want…the best of the best!

TheSavvyFirstTimeHomeBuyer.com is a content rich website, offering resources galore to prospective buyers considering their first purchase, all the way from Williamsburg to Hampton and Newport News, VA.  Analyze the financial impact of renting versus buying, take heed from articles such as “10 Mistakes First Time Home Buyers Make and How to Avoid Them,” check out our mortgage calculators and tools, and read articles by local attorneys, lenders, tax professionals, read case studies, or Ask a Guru! 

You can also search for homes in Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Poquoson, Gloucester, Smithfield, Williamsburg, and James City County, as well as learn about special financing for first time buyers, and much, much more.

Who are the Gurus at TheSavvyFirstTimeHomeBuyer.com?  They are local agents who have proven track records in successfully helping first time homebuyers begin their journey for the American Dream.  These Gurus are savvy in finance, spotting deals, long term wealth building strategies, and fierce negotiating for their clients. 

So, if you are wondering if now is the time to begin the hunt for your own personal American Dream, then we have the perfect place for you to begin!

Liz Moore & Associates, and Debbie Cobb and Elaine Roberto, have been selected as the exclusive marketing company for Brandywyne, a community of maintenance free single family homes tucked away in a beautifully manicured setting, an easy stroll from the historic district of Colonial Williamsburg.  Charming lamp posts and tree lined streets give Brandywyne a European village feel.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen for this opportunity” says Cobb, who has lived in Brandywyne since 2004, and is a huge fan of the resort style lifestyle.  “There is a very special and unique sense of community here, and for those that want to participate, there is always something going on…everything from bridge, zumba and mah jong in the community clubhouse to water aerobics classes at the pool.  Neighbors enjoy a short stroll downtown to enjoy events such as the Grand Illumination, a 4th of July celebration, and everything Williamsburg!”

According to Roberto, “The winning combination of a City of Williamsburg location – with low taxes and the ability to walk downtown in minutes, and exceptional, quality built single family homes and great amenities – makes Brandywyne a must see for anyone interested in a no-maintenance lifestyle. All lawn care, including irrigation, is taken care of for you, freeing up your time to enjoy life!”

There are a limited number of opportunities to live in Brandywyne remaining, as the marketing is in its final phase, so don’t hesitate.  Interest rates are at historic lows, and it’s a great time to explore a new home.  To visit the models or for more information, call Debbie or Elaine at 345-8944 or e-mail brandwyne@lizmoore.com.

Liz Moore and Associates recently published the summer edition of their exclusive magazine, The Home Journal. The Home Journal is a 15 page, full color/full gloss, magazine with a distribution of more than 80,000. This magazine goes out as an insert in the Virginia Gazette to all subscribers in Williamsburg and in the Daily Press to subscribers on the Peninsula. In The Home Journal you’ll find various agent ads, featured listings, finance articles, local vendor coupons, and much more. Didn’t receive your own copy of The Home Journal? Email me at lynnettetully@lizmoore.com and I’d be happy to send you one!  Look for our next magazine in November ~ The Home Journal Holiday Edition!

It is finally Summer, and you know what that means…lots to do around Hampton Roads!  Our June/July postcard mailer features local events happening around town.  So whether you are in to music, shopping, or kid friendly activities, you can be sure to find something for everyone!

The Military Team at Liz Moore and Associates, with help from other agents and clients, recently collected 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to send to troops overseas.

Postcards were sent to clients and they responded generously with donations and boxes of cookies.  The cookies were divided and shipped to six different service members in Afghanistan and Iraq so they could be shared.  One of the recipients, a Chaplain, asked for Ziploc bags in his box so that he could distribute the cookies to the wounded.    

 This is not the first time that the Military Team has acted to support our Troops.  For the past five years, boxes of Christmas cards were collected and sent to the troops in December.  Those shipments were welcomed by the service members as well, providing cards for them to send home to loved ones; something that is hard to find in the war zones. 

This year, the 37^th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flew the US flag in combat over Afghanistan onboard a B-1B Bomber in honor of the Military Team’s support.  The flag and certificate will be displayed in the Newport News office ~ come check it out!

The Lytle Law 5k is raffling off an Apple iPad as part of their fundraising efforts for The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.  Tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20.  Contact Lytle Law at 595-5655 or your Liz Moore agent to purchase your tickets!

Have you registered for the Lytle Law 5k?  The 4th annual Lytle Law 5k “Run for the Kids” will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010 and this is an event you won’t want to miss!

In addition to the 5k race, this event will also feature a “Miracle Mile” fun run/walk, free food and t-shirts for those participating, raffle drawings, live music, awards and more!  However, the best part about the Lytle Law 5k is that *ALL* the proceeds go to CHKD!

You can help this cause just by participating!  Visit www.lytlelaw5k.com to register for the race and obtain information about sponsoring and volunteering at the event.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our special Fair Housing class on Wednesday, May 5th.  It’s 2-5pm in the Williamsburg Office training center, followed by a Cinco de Mayo social just for us, compliments of Lytle Title, across the street from the office at the Greenleafe.

This is a great opportunity to get your CE/PL credits (Fair Housing is not taught frequently, and so it’s a great module to get out of the way early!), to enjoy a great learning opportunity with our very own Brian Lytle, and to socialize and network a little bit with both offices together.