Mr Williamsburg, Blogging on Life and Real Estate in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads Virginia

Dominion Riverrock this weekend in Richmond

Posted on May 17, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Looking for something fun to do this weekend ?

Then head to Richmond VA for the Dominion Riverrock outdoor lifestyle festival, bringing athletes, spectators, musicians, and even dogs to Brown’s Island and Historic Tredegar for a three-day festival against the backdrop of downtown Richmond’s urban riverfront.

The festival features a variety of outdoor sports including trail running, kayaking, biking, bouldering, stand up paddleboarding, slacklining and dog jumping. The event was designed to promote Richmond’s unique riverfront, downtown trails and whitewater rapids to outdoor enthusiasts. As a result of the creation of Dominion Riverrock, there is a stronger appreciation for the value of outdoor recreation throughout the entire Richmond region. All events and concerts are FREE to spectators!

More info here

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US Foreclosure filings down in 2012

Posted on May 17, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

National April foreclosure activity decreased 5 percent from March and was down 14 percent from April 2011, according to a report released by RealtyTrac Thursday. One in every 698 U.S. housing units had a foreclosure filing during the month.

RealtyTrac CEO Brandon Moore attributed the drop in part to an increase in short sales, which are becoming a more common alternative to foreclosure among distressed properties.

More distressed loans are being diverted into short sales rather than becoming completed foreclosures,” Moore said in a statement. “Our preliminary first quarter sales data shows that pre-foreclosure sales — typically short sales — are on pace to outnumber sales of bank-owned properties during the quarter in California, Arizona and 10 other states.”

After three straight monthly increases, U.S. foreclosure starts — which include default notices or scheduled foreclosure auctions, depending on the state — decreased 4 percent from March to April. A total of 97,665 properties started the foreclosure process for the first time during the month, down 2 percent from April 2011.

“It is surprising the numbers are staying as low as they have this year,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac, noting that many analysts expected a wave of new foreclosures in the wake of a landmark settlement between the government and big banks over fraudulent foreclosure practices. That wave hasn’t come, at least on a national level, for several reasons, Blomquist said. For starters, the numbers are down in California, which represents about 20 percent of the foreclosure activity in the entire country.

Still, he said the overall decrease is “masking” the fact that foreclosures actually are up in places such as Florida, New Jersey and Indiana, among other states. Despite the overall decrease in foreclosure starts, 26 states posted monthly increases in foreclosure starts.

Despite the lower-than-expected activity, Blomquist believes the number of foreclosures will still rise this year.

“At the end of the day, 2012 is going to be bigger than 2011.”

He said he did not expect “normal” levels of foreclosures to return until at least 2014.

Eleven of the nation’s 20 largest metro areas documented annual increases in foreclosure activity, led by the Florida cities of Tampa (59 percent) and Miami (38 percent), RealtyTrac reported.

Lenders issued 809 foreclosure-related notices in the Hampton Roads VA area last month, up 2.4 percent from the 790 issued in March but down 21 percent from the 1,023 reported in April 2011, according to RealtyTrac

Despite several cities experiencing an increase in foreclosure activity last month, the numbers in every major city in the region were down from year-earlier levels. Portsmouth continued to have the highest percentage of homes that received a foreclosure filing, according to the report.

Among the 20 largest metros areas, cities posting the biggest annual drops in foreclosure activity included Seattle (54 percent), Phoenix (44 percent), San Francisco (34 percent), Washington (30 percent), Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. (30 percent) and Los Angeles (28 percent).

You can search foreclosed bank-owned homes/ REO in all of Hampton Roads & Williamsburg VA with the links below. FREE & No registration required.

Search Chesapeake VA Foreclosures , Search Hampton , Newport News Foreclosures, Search Isle of Wight Foreclosures, Search Norfolk Foreclosures, Search Poquoson Foreclosures, Search Portsmouth Foreclosures, Search Smithfield Foreclosures, Search Suffolk Foreclosures, Search VA Beach Foreclosures, Search Williamsburg Foreclosures, Search Yorktown Foreclosures

psst … I’m a Realtor! Thanks for stopping by my website. I would love to help you find your dream home and community in the Hampton Roads or Williamsburg areas of Virginia or to sell your existing home.

This website is authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg/ Hampton Roads area and and his expertise in the local real estate market.

His websites, WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com and Mr Williamsburg.com were created as a resource for folks who are exploring a move to Williamsburg, VA , Hampton Roads VA and the surrounding areas of the Virginia Peninsula.

You can search homes for sale , active adult communities, 55+ communities, condos and townhomes , foreclosures/ REO, land, building lots, commercial property in Williamsburg , Yorktown, New Kent, Gloucester, Poquoson as well as the surrounding areas of Hampton Roads, Virginia

You can reach John by phone at 757-254-8136 or email him at John@MrWilliamsburg.com

I look forward to serving your real estate needs!

Best,

John

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Active duty military and families can get free annual passes to national parks

Posted on May 16, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Starting this Saturday, all active-duty military personnel and their dependents can get a free annual pass to visit any of the country’s more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands, the Interior Department announced today.

Saturday is Armed Forces Day. The passes are part of the Joining Forces initiative led by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, to support military families .

The pass is available to activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, but not veterans.

The passes can be obtained at any national park or wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee by showing military identification. Family members can obtain their own pass if the service member is deployed or traveling separately.

The National Park Service estimated the passes, worth $80 each, could cost $2 million to $6 million in lost revenue.

"We collect about $150 million in fees nationwide, so we don’t think that this amount of decrease will be significant to the overall operations of the service," Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, stated.

FAQ about the pass program

Are there any benefits for veterans?

There is not a pass specifically for veterans; however, many veterans qualify for one of the other discount passes offered as part of our pass program.

If you are 62 or older you qualify for a LIFETIME Senior Pass for $10

If you have a permanent disability you may qualify for an Access Pass. This is a free lifetime pass that you may obtain in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office or by mail.

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Verbolten Coaster Opens to the Public

Posted on May 16, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The anticipation is over. On May 18, guests will finally experience Verbolten, the most technologically advanced roller coaster ever built at Busch Gardens.

Verbolten is not a typical roller coaster. It is an immersive thematic attraction that sends passengers twisting and turning through the verboten Black Forest. Verbolten’s low 48-inch ride-height requirement and exhilarating but not overpowering ride experience, will appeal to extreme coaster aficionados as well as to parents who want to introduce their children to the thrill of a roller coaster ride.

“Verbolten is a next generation roller coaster that incorporates the latest in coaster technology with a storyline inspired by Grimm’s fairy tales. From Verbolten’s unique free-fall drop to its multiple launch elements, Busch Gardens’ newest thrill attraction is destined to be a favorite among coaster enthusiasts of all ages,” said Park President Carl Lum.

Guests interested in learning more about the technology behind Verbolten’s unique ride elements can sign up for daily behind-the-scenes coaster tours. Tour guides will provide little-known facts about the ride and let guests peek inside the special effects building that houses Verbolten’s Black Forest. Tours will start soon. Interested guests should check www.buschgardens.com/va for a complete park tour schedule.

Verbolten is the capstone attraction of a two-year rejuvenation project in the park’s Oktoberfest village. Mäch Tower, the park’s 240-foot drop tower, joins the launch coaster as the park’s newest thrill attractions. An award-winning pretzel-themed restaurant, and a new show inside Germany’s Das Festhaus, round out the largest capital expansion in park history.

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Letting go of the family home

Posted on May 15, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Eileen Vernon gave one of the final tours to friends of her parents’ home on Linkhorn Bay in VA Beach, remembering fondly sneaking out on the slate roof from her bedroom window, listening intently to her grandmother’s tales of the Lindsley family farm, and admiring her father’s meticulous upkeep of the two-story, brick Colonial home where she grew up.

It has been nearly three years since Vernon and her two brothers moved their mother, at first to a retirement community in Virginia Beach, but more recently to an assisted-living home.

They’re also nearing the end of the long, tedious process of taking inventory of all their parents’ possessions and getting the home ready to sell in an unsteady housing market.

For Vernon and her siblings, moving their mother, Eileen Davis, out of the home that she and her husband built 50 years ago was bittersweet.

Every room has a water view, every nook and cranny history. But keeping the home in the family wasn’t an option.

For Vernon, the taxes are more than the mortgage on her Princess Anne Plaza rancher. And paying for Davis’ 24-hour care is expensive.

"I can’t believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for my mom’s house," Vernon said.

As parents of baby boomers become unable to care for themselves, and as Baby Boomers themselves age, more and more are choosing to sell the homes they grew up in and let another family take over the property.

In 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors, 15 percent of home sales in America were of places that had been in the same hands for more than 20 years.

While some have to make the decision after parents have passed, others, like Vernon and her brothers, decide to cut the ties before that happens.

Nick Sell, president of Caring Transitions in Virginia Beach, receives frequent calls from children of elderly parents who need help navigating the waters of downsizing a large house and moving a parent to a smaller community.

Sell started his business to help people through the process – having experienced first-hand losing parents suddenly at age 22, just weeks before he was to deploy to Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy.

More of the story here

This website was created as a resource for folks who are moving or retiring to Williamsburg, VA and surrounding areas on the Virginia Peninsula and in the Historic Triangle. You can search search homes for sale , active adult communities, 55+ communities, condos and townhomes , foreclosures/ REO, land, building lots, commercial property in Williamsburg , Yorktown, New Kent, Gloucester, Poquoson as well as the surrounding areas of Hampton Roads, Virginia

We know where the best buys are for creating a maintenance free lifestyle!
Mr Williamsburg understands the special needs of those who are downsizing, and has a variety of resources to help you with auctions, estate sales, consignment, de-cluttering and every phase of getting your home ready to sell.

You can reach John by phone at 757-254-8136 or email him at John@MrWilliamsburg.com

I look forward to serving your real estate needs!

Best,

John

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Hampton Roads Real Estate Market Continues to Improve at a Slow and Steady Climb

Posted on May 11, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The Hampton Roads residential real estate market continues to show signs of improvement. April 2012 was categorized by a year-over-year drop in active listings, as well as increases in homes under contract and residential settled sales.

Residential active listings in April 2012 were down 17.8% when compared to the same time last year. All seven of the major cities (Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) experienced double digit percentage dips in the number of homes for sale. Norfolk and Portsmouth saw the largest drops at 23% and 22% respectively. The months supply of inventory was directly affected by this reduction in active listings, resulting in a new 7.66 months supply of inventory, down from 9.93 months in April 2011. Active inventory for residential new construction has experienced a 16.8% decrease since 2010, and a 23.7% decrease since 2010.

The number of residential under contract sales grew 23% this April when compared to April 2011. Six of the area’s major cities saw an increase in year-over-year under contract sales of at least 15%. Norfolk and Suffolk experienced the largest upturn with 41% and 29%. Of the region’s major cities, Portsmouth was the only city to not realize a year-over-year increase, but instead declined 3%.

Residential settled sales for April 2012 increased 4% when compared to the same time last year. Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk all saw an improvement in their year-over-year numbers, with Suffolk and Chesapeake experiencing the largest increases of 23% and 17% respectively. Portsmouth, Newport News, and Hampton all underwent year-over-year drops in the number of settled sales, with Hampton falling 17% when compared to last year. Unit sales of residential new construction has shown an increase of 12.4% over 2011, and 16.7% over 2010. Comparing this information to the decrease in active new construction units for sale, indicates a shrinking inventory of new construction units and increased interest in new construction by ready buyers.

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Revised Plans Approved for The Reserve at Williamsburg

Posted on May 11, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The York County Planning Commission Wednesday unanimously approved recommending the Board of Supervisors amend a special use permit for a senior citizen residential community

The Reserve at Williamsburg is a senior housing/independent living Planned Development approved by the Board of Supervisors back in September of 2006

The development, located on the east side of Mooretown Road between two timeshare resorts, was approved as a 63-acre independent living senior housing community with up to 459 dwelling units and a 7.7-acre commercial center (including a future fire station site proffered by the developer) along Mooretown Road. The first phase of the project (Verena at Williamsburg), consisting of 120 rental apartment units, has been completed. Under the current approvals, the remaining units can be any mix of rental apartments, condominium apartments, duplexes, and single-family detached homes, all of which must be age-restricted (age 55 and older). The opportunity for a variety and mix of housing types was intended to allow the developer to respond over time to changing market conditions. In approving the Planned Development, the Board approved three alternative master plan concepts (and a fourth concept plan was subsequently approved as an administrative Limited Deviation) designating different residential portions of the development as either “Condominium/Apartment” or “Single-Family/Duplex.”

For various reasons, primarily the national economic slump, the project has not proceeded as quickly as the developer expected. According to the application submittals from the original rezoning request in 2006, the project was to be fully built out by 2011; to date, a total of 120 of the 459 approved units have been built. The developer hopes to improve the marketability of the project by adding townhouses and assisted living units to the list of permitted senior housing uses, which can only be done through an amendment to the original conditions of Planned Development approval.

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Mortgage rates hit record lows again

Posted on May 11, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The 30-year fixed rate average dropped to an all-time low for the second consecutive week, falling ever so slightly from 3.84 percent last week to 3.83 percent, according to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac. The average stood at 4.63 percent this time last year.

The 15-year average followed suit, dipping to 3.05 percent after setting a new record last week at 3.07 percent. One year ago, the 15-year averaged 3.82 percent.

Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s vice president and chief economist, largely pegged the drop in rates this week to a dip in bond yields.

“Following April’s weaker than expected employment report, and the French and Greek election results raising concerns over the stability of the Euro currency zone, long-term Treasury bond yields declined allowing fixed mortgage rates to ease to new all-time record lows this week,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, new data showed that the number of U.S. homeowners behind on their mortgage payments has also dropped to the lowest level since 2009, with only 5.78 percent of mortgage holders falling behind during the first three months of the year. That’s down from a 6.19 percent delinquency rate during the same period last year and 6.01 percent during the last quarter of 2011, according to the report published by TransUnion.

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A Taste of New Kent

Posted on May 8, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Tickets for the 2012 A Taste of New Kent Wine Festival are now available at the winery. Spend the day tasting wines from 14 wineries, plus enjoy live music, local arts and crafts vendors, carriage rides and a variety of foods! The date for this year’s festival is May 12, 2012. Tickets are $25 at the winery before May 12th or $35 at the gate on the day of the event. Online ticket sales will be available soon.

For more information, visit www.atasteofnewkent.com.

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Yorktown VA Market Days launches season May 12 with Fitness Market

Posted on May 8, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The 6^th Annual Yorktown Market Days season kicks off next Saturday, May 12, along the Yorktown waterfront at Riverwalk Landing between Buckner and Ballard Streets.

The market will operate Saturdays, May 12 through Sept. 15, and monthly markets will be held on Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 15, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with extended hours until 3 p.m. in Oct., Nov. and Dec.

The market is free and features seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, eggs, poultry, beef and pork; fresh breads, cheeses, baked goods, peanuts, cut flowers, organic and gluten free products, potted plants, coffee, jams and jellies; quality art and live musical entertainment.

The market hosts more than 35 local farmers, producers and vendors throughout the season with a variety of homegrown favorites. The market also hosts over 20 local artists this season, with four to seven featured artists appearing each week. Throughout the summer, the market will feature a variety of entertainment. Confirmed market vendors, entertainment and artists for the 2012 season can be found online at www.yorktownmarketdays.com.

The Fifes and Drums of York Town will kick off the first market of the season with a performance, followed by entertainment at 9 a.m. with music by Lana Puckett and Kim Person, who will entertain guests with their repertoire of folk and country music.

For the opening market, York County Parks and Recreation will host the 2^nd Annual Fitness market, a program to support improving the quality of life for residents by educating citizens about the importance of healthy living and highlighting tools available to make healthy lifestyle choices.

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Jane Krakowski, (from 30 Rock) headlines Festival Williamsburg Concert at Williamsburg Inn

Posted on May 8, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Sunday, May 27, 2012 the Broadway spotlight is on Jane Krakowski, the Tony award-winning and Emmy-nominated star of NBC’s “30 Rock,” who will perform classic Broadway hits under the musical direction of Rob Fisher. Ms. Krakowski has appeared on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Grand Hotel,” “Company,” “Once upon a Mattress,” “Tartuffe” and “Starlight Express.” In 2003, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Carla opposite Antonio Banderas in the musical “Nine.” Tickets are $65 and $45 for reserved table seating at 5:30 and 8 p.m. in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge.

On Friday May 25 at 8 p.m., the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra brings the authentic Big Band sound to life. Dedicated to keeping the spirit of swing alive and thriving, the orchestra pays tribute to the great composers and band leaders of the swing era: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Pops Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Earl Fatha Hines, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton and more. The New York Times calls their sound “potent music, tailor-made for dancing.”

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Virginia to get lower utility bills

Posted on May 3, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Say it ain’t so. The bills of Dominion Virginia Power customers could drop 4 percent in September because of mild weather and a drop in natural gas prices.

The utility is seeking permission from the State Corporation Commission for two decreases that would offset three smaller increases the company is seeking.

Dominion is requesting a $5.83 drop in the monthly bill of its typical Virginia customer because of lower-than-expected prices to generate electricity, mild weather and the performance of new generating units.

“The abundance of natural gas also has driven the price down, and we have taken full advantage of this at our new Bear Garden Power Station.,” Dominion Virginia Power CEO Paul D. Konce said in a statement. “This highly efficient, natural gas-fired station is projected to save our customers approximately $122 million in fuel costs from June 1, 2011, through June 30, 2013, when compared with other fuel sources.”
The company is also proposing a decrease of $2.67 becomes of lower transmission-related costs. The three increases include 34 cents to cover energy efficiency programs, an increase of $1.32 once the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County begins commercial operations and an increase of $2.84 on Aug. 1 with the expiration of a credit to customers that has been applied to customers’ bills since February after the SCC reviewed base rates.

The fuel rate, adjusted each year, is a pass-through cost that does not affect Dominion’s profit

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May is Bike month in Williamsburg Virginia

Posted on May 2, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Saturday, May 5
8 am to 1 pm
Come bike the Colonial Parkway, which will be closed to motorized vehicles from the Newport Avenue exit in Williamsburg to the Jamestown exit (about 10 miles, one way). A rest stop serving free refreshments will be located at the College Creek pull off. A children’s Bike Skills rodeo will held at the Parkway’s Jamestown end; participants will receive free helmets donated by the Active Williamsburg Alliance (AWA), a chapter of BikeWalk Virginia.

Check out the May calendar of the Williamsburg Area Bicycling Association for a variety of bike rides in the Williamsburg Virginia area. There are rides for all skill levels on an almost daily

May 2012 Rides

May 2, Wednesday
New Kent Visitors Center Ride
53 mile C+ ride at 8:30 AM meeting at the New Kent Visitors Center. Call the Deana Sun at (804) 690-6018.
May 3, Thursday
Yorktown Battlefield Ride
Meet at the parking lot behind York Hall for a 14 mile casual ride on the Yorktown Tour Roads at 10:00 AM. Optional lunch will follow the ride at the Carrot Tree Restaurant. Call Jim and Mary Osborn at 229-0655 or email (osbornva@cox.net).
May 4, Friday
Dunbar Ride
25 to 35 miles C+ pace. Meet at Williamsburg Community Chapel Parking lot (Section S) at 9:30 am. POC Charlie Hart 566-0090.
May 5, Saturday
Pedal the Parkway
16th Anniversary of Pedal the Parkway
Bike the Colonial Parkway for 8.2 miles (between Jamestown and Williamsburg) with no cars from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. FREE to the public! Avoid most of the hills by starting at the Jamestown end of the Parkway. A rest stop with free refreshments will be located at the Archer’s Hope pull-off (3.8 miles from the Jamestown entrance). FREE helmets available for children at the Jamestown and Williamsburg entrances. Child must be present to be fitted with a helmet.
May 6, Sunday
Civil War Ride
16-20 mile casual ride visiting local sites of Civil War action and interest commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg. Meet at 4 PM at the Jefferson Statue in Merchants Square. POC Nancy Carter, 229-4907 or njcarter@starpower.net.

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10 Best Places to Buy Foreclosures in 2012

Posted on May 2, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

In Williamsburg, James City County we are blessed with a low percentage of bank owned foreclosures on the market. In the past 12 months they accounted for only 9.3% of sales.

Other areas have been hit much harder. As a point of comparison in the rest of Hampton Roads, 25% of sales in March of 2012 were distressed sales ( REO, Foreclosures, Short sales). On average they were selling for a 41% discount from non distressed properties.

Prices for residential real estate, which plunged more than 50 percent in some markets after the housing bubble burst, appear to be stabilizing. Some real estate markets are better than others. But where are the best opportunities to buy discounted foreclosures? Which metropolitan areas offer homebuyers and investors the biggest discounts and the highest potential return on investment (ROI)?

RealtyTrac has selected the 10 best places in America to buy a foreclosure in 2012.

To compile their Top 10 list, they started with the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas based on population. From there, the list was narrowed further by selecting market with at least 200 sales transactions in January 2012. The list was then pared down by selecting metros where the average foreclosure sales price was at least 30 percent below the average price of a non-foreclosure home.

You can search foreclosed , bank-owned homes/ REO in all of Hampton Roads VA with the links below. No registration required. FREE

Search Chesapeake VA Foreclosures

Search Hampton , Newport News Foreclosures

Search Isle of Wight Foreclosures

Search Norfolk Foreclosures

Search Poquoson Foreclosures

Search Portsmouth Foreclosures

Search Smithfield Foreclosures

Search Suffolk Foreclosures

Search VA Beach Foreclosures

Search Williamsburg Foreclosures

Search Yorktown Foreclosures

This post was authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg/ Hampton Roads area and and his expertise in the local real estate market.

Here you can search homes for sale , active adult communities, 55+ communities, condos and townhomes , foreclosures/ REO, land, building lots, commercial property in Williamsburg , Yorktown, New Kent, Gloucester, Poquoson as well as the surrounding areas of Hampton Roads, Virginia
You can reach John by phone at 757-254-8136 or email him atJohn@MrWilliamsburg.com

I look forward to serving your real estate needs!

Best,

John

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150th anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg

Posted on April 30, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The American Civil War arrived early along the shores of the James and York Rivers. A mere two months after the Constitution of the Confederates States of America was adopted, tearing asunder this still young nation, cannon fire was overheard. Just off Sewell’s Point, where the James River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, two Union gunboats dueled with Confederate batteries in an attempt to enforce the Union blockade of Hampton Roads. Over the next four years this peninsula, this tiny strip of land, witnessed many of the war’s major battles, all within 50 miles of its epicenter – Williamsburg.

Union and Confederate Army re-enactors participate in the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg during a special commemorative ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5 on Market Square adjacent to the Courthouse of 1770 in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.

The commemoration honors the 4,000+ casualties of both armies in the battle with a special address by nationally renowned Civil War historian Prof. James I. Robertson Jr. titled “The Uncontrollable War.”

Robertson is the Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus in History at Virginia Tech. He is also executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, created by the university in 1999, and is a charter member of Virginia’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. He previously served as executive director of the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission to mark the conflict’s 100th anniversary. Robertson is the author or editor of more than 20 books that include award-winning studies of the Civil War. His massive biography of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson won eight national awards and was used as the basis for the Warner Bros. movie, “Gods and Generals,” for which Robertson was chief historical consultant.

The public is invited to the commemorative ceremony. No admission ticket is required. For more information, visit www.history.org or telephone toll-free 1-800-HISTORY

Civil War Williamsburg Brochure
This brochure contains valuable information (including maps) on local points of interest within America’s Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown during the Civil War. You can click here to download a copy

Other Civil War Events in Williamsburg VA

Wolf by the Ear, Thomas Jefferson and the Pursuit of Freedom
05/04/2012
7:30 PM
$24.95
Event Website

Founding Father Thomas Jefferson awaits news of whether Missouri will be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. He reflects on the years since the American Revolution and the great debates over the institution of slavery. Appearing during the drama are Patrick Henry and Edmund Randolph, who debate ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the Haitian revolutionary Jean Jacque Dessalines and Henry Clay, the renowned orator and speaker of the House of Representatives. Live music from the early years of the American republic accent this program. 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at the Kimball Theatre. Tickets are $24.95. Call 800-HISTORY or visit the website for more info.

Williamsburg Civil War Tour
05/04/2012
Event Website

Williamsburg Civil War Tour tells stories about the important role Williamsburg played in the American Civil War. In addition to witnessing both the Northern and Southern Armies, it experienced a tragic battle on its doorstep. Join the tour and meet people who were here and learn more about Williamsburg’s role in this heart-rending period of American history. The one-hour walking tour is offered evenings at 7, 7:20, 7:40, 8:20, 8:40 and 9 on Fridays through June 15 at the Courthouse in the Historic Area. Cost for this program is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children under six.

The Civil War 150 Legacy Project is Visiting Williamsburg to Scan Historic Documents
05/05/2012
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event Website

The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and the Library of Virginia have partnered to create a state-wide online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that still remain in private hands. The Civil War 150 Legacy Project: Document Digitation and access focuses on manuscript materials created during the period 1859-1867 that reflect social, political, military, business and religious life in Virginia during the period of the Civil War and the early period of Reconstruction. Citizens are encouraged to bring original family materials to be scanned and included in the Project. Scanned materials will be made available on the web via the Library of Virginia web site and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission web site.

Understanding the Civil War in Williamsburg
05/05/2012 – 05/06/2012
Event Website

Guests meet with a historian and explore the events that lead up to the arrival of the armies in Williamsburg in 1862. 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5 and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6 at the Courthouse steps. Admission is included in all Historic Area tickets. Call 800-HISTORY or visit the website for more info.

Tours of the Civil War Camps – Colonial Williamsburg
05/05/2012
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Historic Area Tickets
Event Website

Take a guided tour of the camps and learn about military life in 1862. The Confederate camp is located on Nassau Street in the Custis Pasture (across from the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum) and the Union camp is located near the Capitol. 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 5. Admission is included in all Historic Area tickets.

More events listed here

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Costco now offering mortgages

Posted on April 28, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

First coffins now mortgages.

Costco shoppers can now land themselves a mortgage.

After a year of testing, Costco is rolling out a full-service mortgage lending program on its website in partnership with First Choice Bank, a New Jersey-based community bank, and 10 other lenders. .

Costco’s partners have issued more than 10,000 mortgages to members under the program

Mortgages are just one of several financial products available to Costco’s members. The warehouse club also offers health and auto insurance, as well as stock brokerage services.

Up next: Auto loans and student loans.

Costco had started offering mortgages a couple of years ago but the service provider it was using didn’t share enough details about how it was dealing with Costco’s members, so Costco started over from scratch, partnering with First Choice Bank to build a new mortgage lending portal.

Much like LendingTree, the site gathers quotes from various lenders. However, there is one key difference. Under the Costco program, the borrower’s identity is revealed only after they officially select the lender.

With many other lead-generation sites, the consumer fills out an application and any lender can make an offer and begin sending marketing communications to the applicant without restrictions.

Costco members will still need to do their homework and compare offers, though,

First Choice said it will police the other lenders to ensure they comply with Costco’s policies, which include giving accurate rates and terms and following up quickly on questions and requests. The technology enables Costco to monitor individual applications and make sure they are handled properly and expeditiously.

Costco takes no profit on the lending itself, but it does get paid to market the service.

Filed under: business, virginia | Leave a Comment »

Want to hear what is happening with Interstate 64 ?

Posted on April 22, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The Virginia Department of Transportation is planning to host informational meetings about its study of the Interstate 64 corridor from I-95 in Richmond to I-664 in Hampton.

The study is intended to identify transportation needs within the 75-mile I-64 corridor. A meeting will be held in Newport News Wednesday night and in New Kent Thursday night.

An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared as part of the study, which is scheduled for completion in early 2014.

The public meetings are intended to give residents an opportunity to provide input about the scope of issues the study will address.

Additional information on the project can be viewed on VDOT’s Website.

When/Where:

April 25: 5-8 p.m., City Center Conference Room, Fountain Plaza II, 700 Town Center Drive, Newport News

April 26: 5-8 p.m., Watkins Elementary School, 6501 New Kent Highway, Quinton

What is an open forum public hearing?
An open forum public hearing (open house) encourages one-on-one
discussions in an informal setting. This style of meeting has an easy,
open and encouraging effect on citizens and can be very helpful in
building a sense of consensus between the Department and citizens.
At the meeting, people familiar with all facets and features of the
project visually display their information. The purpose of the open
forum may be to suggest solutions or may simply be to give
information and facts. The process is highly interactive with technical
people presenting and fielding questions from communities, individual
citizens, or small groups.

Project study area map

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ART ON THE SQUARE In Williamsburg

Posted on April 21, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Featured artist, Richard DePaul, has graciously donated an original watercolor, "Spring Awakening." The original watercolor of “Spring Awakening” as well as three framed prints will be raffled off at 4:30 pm the day of the show. Raffle tickets and commemorative posters will be sold at the JWCW Registration Tent Now in its 49th year, ART ON THE SQUARE is one of the Junior Woman’s Club principal fundraisers to support community art initiatives.
ART ON THE SQUARE will be held on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 from 10am to 5pm. It is located on Duke of Gloucester and North Boundary Street in Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia. Featuring over 160 artists, it is free and open to the public.

ART ON THE SQUARE is a juried show that is dedicated to providing original, high quality, handcrafted and diverse mediums of art. Proceeds from artist booth fees are donated to visual and performing arts organizations throughout the greater Williamsburg area including Williamsburg, James City and York counties.

The Featured artist, Richard DePaul, has graciously donated an original watercolor, "Spring Awakening." The original watercolor of “Spring Awakening” as well as three framed prints will be raffled off at 4:30 pm the day of the show. Raffle tickets and commemorative posters will be sold at the JWCW Registration Tent. Raffle tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Winners need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle ticket and poster sales directly support the Junior Woman’s Club Art Scholarships, which are awarded to talented local high school students to further their visual and performing art educations.

Art on the Square

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

10am – 5pm

Rain or Shine.

Duke of Gloucester and North Boundary Street

Merchants Square

Williamsburg, Virginia

Filed under: 365 Things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia, williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Hampton Block Party Starts 2012 Season

Posted on April 21, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Hampton VA , kicks off their outdoor street party series this Saturday with Irish-flavored rock from the Virginia Beach band The Fighting Jamesons.

The band plays music that is steeped in the grand tradition of classic Irish sing-a-long and captures the true spirit of Irish music.

The party runs 6-11 p.m. Saturday, April 21 and continues Saturday nights through Sept. 1. Admission is free

The event concentrates on local cover bands with a few National acts through the season.

The street party takes place along Queensway in downtown Hampton. It will include beer and food vendors as well as children’s activities. Admission is free. For more information, call 727-0900 or visit www.vasc.org.

Here’s the full lineup for the 2012 season

April 21 The Fighting Jamesons (

April 28 Tidewater Drive

May 5 Tailgate Down

May 12 Power Play

May 19 Flashback

May 26 The DeLoreans

June 2 Doug Dunn and Island Style

June 9 Rare Mixx

June 16 Hey Hooligan

June 23 Fastball

June 30 Vinyl Headlights

July 7 Slapwater

July 14 Hot Cakes

July 21 Excess

July 28 Stricly Bizzness

Aug. 11 BoDeans

Aug. 18 The Janitors

Aug. 25 Butter

Sept. 1 Slapwater

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Garden Week in Williamsburg April 24, 2012

Posted on April 20, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Every April, visitors are welcomed to more than 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during "America’s Largest Open House." Historic Garden Week provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color, as well as beautiful houses sparkling with fabulous flower arrangements.

This year celebrate spring by taking a step back in time on Williamsburg’s Historic Garden Week tour. The Historic Garden Week tour in Williamsburg, part of the Virginia Statewide Historic Garden Week, is on April 24 and showcases several significant Civil War properties in the Colonial Williamsburg historic area and on the campus of the College of William and Mary.

The Civil War properties included in the tour this year are Bassett Hall, the Coke-Garrett House, the Palmer House, the President’s House at the College of William and Mary, and the Sir Christopher Wren Building. Also included on the tour are several picturesque homes and gardens built in the 20th century located just to the west of the College of William and Mary, including the Hertzler-George Garden featured in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine , the Steele Home and Garden, and the Gilman Home. All three of these private properties are open to the public for the first time on this year’s Williamsburg Historic Garden Week tour.

In addition, the College of William and Mary will be hosting special escorted or self-guided walking tours on campus showcasing the trees, plants, architecture, and Civil War history of the College of William and Mary. The escorted tours will start at the Wren Yard at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!

Advance Tickets $25: buy them here or $30at the door

Also available through April 21, cash or check only, at the following locations: G. Bates Studio, Merchants Square; Seasons of Williamsburg, Jamestown Road; Wild Birds Unlimited, Monticello Marketplace.

Luncheon and Special Event Information: Lunches must be reserved and paid for in advance. This year’s site is The Hospitality House, located at 415 Richmond Road. Cost is $15 per person.

For more information about the Williamsburg tour and to make luncheon reservations email Cathy Adams at cbtbka@cox.net.

WHERE TO PARK WHEN TAKING THE WILLIAMSBURG GARDEN WEEK TOUR:
1). The Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center. There you can buy your HGW ticket which will allow you to use the CW buses. Disembark at The Capitol bus stop and the Merchants Square bus stop.
2). The Williamsburg Taverns parking lot on Francis Street.
3). The City of Williamsburg Parking Garage at Henry and Scotland Streets and walk out through the Prince George Street exit.
4). The Williamsburg Hospitality House on Richmond Road (garages and back lot).
This is also the location for LUNCH.
5). Limited parking on city streets surrounding the properties.
Follow the Green Arrows and Historic Garden Week road signs.

Add to my calendar

Other Tours in the Hampton Roads, Gloucester/ Mathews, Newport News. Portsmouth, Norfolk, Northern Neck areas of Virginia are listed below

Filed under: Gardening in Williamsburg VA | Leave a Comment »

Tebow to participate in W&M Football Camp for kids

Posted on April 20, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

William and Mary head football coach Jimmye Laycock and the Colonial All-Pro Football Camp have once again attracted some of the most prominent names from the National Football League to serve as guest instructors at this year’s camp, which will be held June 24-27 on the W&M campus.

Participating in this summer’s camp will be New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.

This is the 19th summer the Colonial All-Pro Camp has featured some of the NFL’s top players. Among the list of former guest instructors are Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Troy Polamalu, Ndamukong Suh, Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Urlacher, Jerome Bettis, Dan Marino, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, Darren Sharper, Bruce Smith and many others. These greats, along with Laycock and his staff, make for a memorable and instructive camp experience for young players.

The Colonial All-Pro Camp is for players ages 8 through rising seniors in high school

More info here

Online registration is available by clicking here.

Filed under: Summer Camps, williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Friends’ of Williamsburg Library Annual Book Sale

Posted on April 19, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Held at the Stryker Building.

April 20 – 22, 2012

New, Extended Hours: Friday 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (*Friends Only- You can join the Friends of the Library at the Door)

Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Open to the public)

Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Open to the public)

The Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library sale of used books, DVDs, CDs and more will be held April 20 – 22 at the Stryker Building, 412 North Boundary Street (across the street from the Williamsburg Library). Proceeds from the sale benefit the Williamsburg Regional Library.

Members of the Friends have first chance at the bargains at a special Friends-only advance sale on Friday, April 20 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friends’ memberships will be sold at the door for non-members wishing to take part in the Friday evening sale.

On Saturday, April 21, the public sale takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Sunday, April 22 sale takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and all items will be half price. Purchases can be made with cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.

Please note that beginning with the spring 2012 book sale, Friends of Williamsburg Library will be holding only one book sale per year.

For more information, call 757-259-4042, or visit www.wrl.org/friends .

Filed under: williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Hotel Management Company opens in Williamsburg VA

Posted on April 17, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Local hotel veterans Kimberly Christner and partner Craig Larson celebrated the opening of their new management company ,Cornerstone Hospitality which opened its doors on April 2, 2012 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The company will be focused on property management and development of select service brands and Life-Style hotels, as well as boutique, small resort and historic properties.

Cornerstone Hospitality was created with the owner in mind. With focus on personal attention, revenue maximization, sales and exceptional operating programs, the firm’s principals have a combined experience of nearly 50 years and a great reputation in the hospitality community.

Kimberly Christner said that when they started talking about forming a management company they took great time and care in developing their desired culture. “We wanted to be sure that we were a different kind of hotel management company. There are a lot of choices available. We needed to distinguish ourselves from the mega management companies. So, our company focus is a bottom up approach. It’s about developing the people who operate the properties, creating a culture that can be seen and felt at a property as well as insuring that we personally touch our hotels and our teams on a weekly basis. Our guiding principle is about treating people the way we would want to be treated. Thus, we operate the managed hotels we oversee as if we own them. That’s our ‘cornerstone’ and it’s a profitable one for our owners.”

Filed under: Business, williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Fords Colony Rocky Mount No More

Posted on April 17, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The Halle Companies who recently announced the purchase of Ford’s Colony in Rocky Mount, NC. have renamed the community Belmont Lake Preserve.

Plans for improving the 1200 acre golf course community are moving along..

Construction will soon begin on a new 25,000 square foot Club House for Belmont Lake Preserve. The Club House and Entertainment areas will include an Indoor Swimming Pool, an Outdoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Facility, full Catering and Dining facilities and Tennis Courts.

Belmont Lake Preserve’s 18 hole Championship Golf Course and the over 2000 home-sites are a beautiful addition to Eastern North Carolina. The property is conveniently located just minutes off of I-85, and also includes an 80 acre private lake..

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The Retreat Neighborhood Spotlight Toano VA

Posted on April 16, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

DSCN2765 Home buyers in the Williamsburg VA area looking for neighborhoods with homes on larger lots ( 1-3 acres +) have a variety of communities to choose from The Retreat which we will focus on here as well as . Skimino Landing Estates The Conservancy, Liberty Ridge, Wexford Hills, Woodland Farms, Merry Oaks, Uncles Neck and Banbury Cross are some of the more popular neighborhoods. There are also numerous parcels off of Forge Rd, Brickbat Rd and others throughout the area that are simply rural or non neighborhood locations.Most of these are typically in the western part of James City or upper York County.

The Retreat is a large lot community located in the western part of James City County close to Toano. The development was approved by James City County back in 1999 and will consist of 71 homes on 233 acres when completed.

At this point about 50 families call The Retreat home. There are approximately 20 Building lots still for sale at reduced prices now ranging from $99k to $150k for 3+ acre sized parcels.

Seller financing is currently being offered by the developers of The Retreat for privacy at the retreat qualified buyers.

Lot buyers can use the preferred builder ( Hallmark Homes) or they can use a builder of their choice as long as the plans meet approval by the architectural review board.

(I would be happy to introduce you to our preferred builders who have constructed homes in the Williamsburg VA area for 30+ years)

Construction of new homes at The Retreat started in 2000 with the first home being delivered in 2001. Homes continue to be built and offered for sale today.

home Home sales have slowed in The Retreat community with only one sale in the last 12 months. Although foreclosures make up a small part of our community that one home was a bank owned home that sold in only 10 days on market for $505k. In years past home sale prices ranged as high as $1,096,000 for a 6500 sq. foot home that sold in 2005. The homes in The Retreat were built solely by PF Summers until 2007 when they ceased doing business. As noted previously you can now use the builder of your choice once you decide to build.

Homes sizes in The Retreat range from 2300 to 6500 square feet with the median size coming in around 3200 square feet.

The HOA ( home owner association ) fees at The Retreat are one of the lowest in the area at only $200 a year. This fees cover the cost of maintaining the common areas of the community. With no community pool a number of homeowners in The Retreat have built their own pools. Others choose to use the nearby pool at Upper County Park where you can purchase an annual family pool retreat pass for only $120. Upper County park is a 91-acre with amenities that also include a Toddler pool, Snack bar (pizza, hot dogs, drinks), Changing rooms with showers ,Shade Structure, Playground, sand volleyball and basketball courts, multiuse trails and a 3.5-mile mountain bike trail, horseshoe pits and picnic shelters..

James City County Schools for The Retreat are:

Elementary School: Stonehouse; Middle School: Toano; High School: Warhill

Search homes and lots with acreage in James City/ York County/ Williamsburg VA here

Want to see what homes with acreage sold for recently in the Williamsburg, James City County VA area sold for ?

Click here to see full details

site plan for the retreat

Fast Facts “The Retreat”

Nearest Major Intersection: RT 30 and Barnes Rd
Gated: No
Clubhouse: No
How Many Homes: Approximately 50, 71 when complete.
Size Range: Homes in this neighborhood are between 2300-6500. ( Most are around 3200)
Amenities: none.. No pool but many homeowners build their own
Nearest Grocery Store: Farm Fresh and Food Lion in Croaker
Favorite Neighborhood Feature: Low HOA fee, rural location, privacy
Cons: Distance to Colonial Williamsburg, other shopping areas
HOA fees are only $200 annually
Williamsburg/James City County Schools
Elementary: Stonehouse
Middle-Toano
High- Warhill
Taxes: Average: $3850 annual on a home valued at $500k ( a super low rate of $0.77 per $100 assessed value) one of the lowest in the area.
HOA Management : THE RETREAT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC
(301) 725-0200
Directions

Keep Looking -If you like the The Retreat in Toano VA and you might also like these other neighborhoods in the Williamsburg Va area with large lots Skimino Landing Estates along with The Conservancy, , Wexford Hills, Liberty Ridge, Woodland Farms, Merry Oaks, Uncles Neck and Banbury Cross are some of the more popular large lot neighborhoods. Westport will be another option in the future. It will offer 3+ acre lots in a location right down the street from Liberty Ridge is just outside the Manchester gate of Ford’s Colony on Centerville Rd. . As an added bonus homeowners in Westport will be members of and enjoy the amenities of Ford’s Colony. –Stay tuned for further updates……

There are also numerous estate parcels and horse farms off of Forge Rd, Brickbat Rd and others throughout the area that are simply rural or non neighborhood locations.Most of these are typically in the western part of James City or York County. You can read other neighborhood spotlight articles here

Search homes and lots with acreage in James City/ York County/ Williamsburg VA here

Talk Back- Do you live in the The Retreat in Toano VA ? We would love to hear your thoughts on living there both good and bad. Please share in the comment field below. 01graycma

House Value-Want to get an idea of what your home in The Retreat might sell for ? Want to discuss our “No Surprises” Program ? Fill out the form here and we’ll get back to you ASAP. Do you live in Williamsburg Commons and want to keep up with home prices in the neighborhood ? Fill out my “Nosy Neighbor Update” and keep abreast of sales !

Questions ?

If you have any questions and/or would like to view homes for sale in The Retreat or other communities in greater Williamsburg or Hampton Roads, I am here to help. Contact me at 757.254.8136 or John@MrWilliamsburg.com

Where :Map location to The Retreat Community in Toano VA and

Directions: From I 64 West, take exit 227, Keep right at the fork and merge onto RT 30, you will pass the Stonehouse community on your right. Turn left on Barnes Rd , then go 2 miles and turn right on Whispering Rd into The Retreat/

The Retreat- Toano VA Photo Tour

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psst … I’m a Realtor! Thanks for stopping by my website.
Welcome to the blog of Mr Williamsburg . Are you looking for homes for sale in the Williamsburg or, Toano , Virginia area? View recently listed real estate properties in The Retreat and surrounding areas or contact a Toano real estate agent to help you find or buy your new home in The Retreat neighborhood . We have hundreds of listings including new construction, new homes and waterfront homes and land.

We receive new listings everyday, so check back regularly I would love to help you find your dream home and community in the Hampton Roads or Williamsburg areas of Virginia or to sell your existing home. This post was authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg/ Hampton Roads area and and his expertise in the local real estate market. His websites, WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com and Mr Williamsburg.com were created as a resource for folks who are exploring a move to Williamsburg, VA , Hampton Roads VA and the surrounding areas of the Virginia Peninsula. You can search homes for sale , active adult communities, 55+ communities, condos and townhomes , foreclosures/ REO, land, building lots, commercial property in Williamsburg , Yorktown, New Kent, Gloucester, Poquoson as well as the surrounding areas of Hampton Roads, Virginia You can reach John by phone at 757-254-8136 or email him atJohn@MrWilliamsburg.com I look forward to serving your real estate needs! Best, John

Filed under: James City County Williamsburg VA Neighborhoods, The Retreat | Leave a Comment »

LAW HISTORIAN NEXT SPEAKER IN COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG’S FRIDAY EVENING LECTURE SERIES

Posted on April 16, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg continues its Friday Evening Lecture series at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20 in the Visitor Center Theater, 101-A Visitor Center Dr., Williamsburg.

Warren Billings, a visiting professor at the College of William and Mary School of Law, delivers a lecture titled “Of Quill Pens and Foolscap: Writing Early Virginia History.”

Prior to this talk, Billings will be at the WILLIAMSBURG Booksellers located in Colonial Williamsburg’s Visitor Center from 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. to sign copies of his books. They include “The Little Parliament: The Virginia General Assembly in the Seventeenth Century” and “Sir William Berkeley and the Forging of Colonial Virginia.” Both are available for purchase, for $30 and $24.95 respectively.

Billings is a historian of colonial Virginia and Louisiana law. He chaired Preservation Virginia’s Jamestown Rediscovery Advisory Board from 1994 – 2008, was a member of Preservation Virginia’s Board of Trustees from 2002 – 2008 and was re-appointed in 2011. He served on the federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission from 2003 – 2008, the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State Museum from 1989 – 2004 and was historian of the Supreme Court of Louisiana from 1982 – 2005. In 2002, he was Visiting Williams Professor of Law at the University of Richmond.

A past fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a former Virginia Historical Society Mellon Research Fellow, Billings received the Virginia Historical Society’s Richard Slattern Award for Excellence in Virginia Biography in 2005. He also lectures frequently on subjects relating to colonial Virginia and early Louisiana.

The event is free and open to the public.

Filed under: colonial williamsburg, williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

How’s the real estate market in Williamsburg VA ?

Posted on April 15, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Note: If you want to attend please RSVP to John@MrWilliamsburg.com

Seating space is limited…

Filed under: Selling a home in Williamsburg VA, williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Virginia Continues to Lead the Way in Job Growth and Economic Competitiveness

Posted on April 13, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Virginia was ranked as the third-best state in the country for its economic outlook in a report released Thursday by the American Legislative Exchange Council. In its fifth edition of “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index ” Virginia outperformed other states on economic policy based on a ranking that uses 15 equally-weighted variables in the areas of tax, labor, and regulatory policy.

The report, authored by world-renowned economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, senior economics writer at The Wall Street Journal, and Jonathan Williams, director of ALEC’s Center for State Fiscal Reform, shows Virginia outperforming other states on economic competitiveness and economic policy.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the best states in the nation to do business, ranking 3^rd best in the economic outlook ranking. The authors of the report show how taxpayers “vote with their feet and dollars,” by migrating away from high tax states, and moving into low tax states, such as Virginia.

Filed under: business, virginia | Leave a Comment »

Bill Kelso Kicks Off Historic Jamestowne Spring Lecture Series

Posted on April 12, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

The Historic Jamestowne Spring Lecture Series kicks off with "Jamestown, Lost and Found: The Rediscovery of James Fort" presented by Bill Kelso, director of archaeology at Historic Jamestowne at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 19. New discoveries at James Fort will be featured in two programs in April and May at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, 326 W. Francis St., in Williamsburg.

The Jamestown Rediscovery project, led by William Kelso and a team of archaeologists, continues to work to unearth the original 1607 James Fort, thought lost to James River shoreline erosion. New discoveries at the fort site add more vivid detail to the Jamestown story and to the collection of more than a million objects left buried there for more than four centuries. Join Kelso for this one-hour illustrated presentation and learn firsthand about the amazing story of the rediscovery of Jamestown and the work that continues at America’s birthplace.

The next lecture in the series is "Surprises from the Soil: The Material World of America’s Birthplace." Until 1994 and the archaeological discovery of James Fort, it was generally believed that there would be no new information surfacing about the early years for England’s first successful transatlantic colony. With the rediscovery of the fort, more than a million artifacts have been uncovered related to the men, women, and children comprising the fabric of early Jamestown life. Bly Straube, senior archaeological curator at the Jamestown Rediscovery project, highlights the new stories these objects tell at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17.

General admission tickets to these programs are $10 each. Tickets can be purchased at any Colonial Williamsburg ticket location or by calling 1-800-HISTORY or the Museum Store at (757) 220-7693. It is recommended that guests pick up their tickets by 5:15 p.m. and take their seats in Hennage Auditorium.

More info here

Filed under: williamsburg va | Leave a Comment »

Mad About Chocolate Opens This Saturday

Posted on April 12, 2012 by mrwilliamsburg

Chef and author Marcel Desaulniers hasn’t quite retired, in fact he is opening a new chocolate café in Williamsburg where he will serve some of his signature over-the-top chocolate desserts, cookies, brownies and much, much more!
Your chocolate cravings can be filled starting this Saturday April 14th when Mad About Chocolate is scheduled to open at 204 Armistead Avenue.

Marcel Deaulniers, author of Death by Chocolate and former chef/owner of the Trellis Restaurant is opening MAD about Chocolate in Williamsburg VA.

Following a two-year rest (which he apparently spent with visions of chocolate spinning in his head) Marcel Desaulniers, award-winning chef and author of “Death by Chocolate,” will open MAD about Chocolate, a chocolate café.

This chocolate cafe will serve Marcel’s over-the-top desserts (he originated Death by Chocolate Cake back in 1982 – long before it became part of the vernacular). MAD about Chocolate will also offer cookies, brownies, ice cream and assorted other concoctions, plus sweet and non-sweet versions of cheesecake, bread pudding, pies as well as soups and beverages.

Need more temptation?

Everything will be made from scratch using all-natural ingredients in the MAD about Chocolate open kitchen. With only 12 seats, take-out and internet sales will be a large part of the business.

Marcel will operate MAD about Chocolate with his wife, Connie, an artist who has owned a marketing agency for 22 years. The interior will include Connie’s art, and many of the components – such as tables, light fixtures and display counters – will be created by local artisans.

The art-filled café will be located at the Triangle Building, 204 Armistead Ave., a block from Colonial Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary.

In addition to being chef and co-owner of the Trellis Restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchant Square for 30 years Marcel wrote 10 cookbooks (eight about chocolate) and won numerous culinary awards.

Location Map and Directions to Mad About Chocolate

Filed under: Business, williamsburg va | 2 Comments »

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For more information, call 757-259-4042, or visit www.wrl.org/friends .

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