John Womeldorf REALTOR Mr Williamsburg.com ABR, E-Pro

I just received a note from the president of a local home builder. Thought I would share it with you in case you are considering buying a new home/ condo. townhome in Hampton Roads priced in the $200,000 to $300,00 price range.

Congress recently passed legislation which eliminates down payment gift assistance programs from non-profit sponsors. This legislation takes effect in just two weeks on October 1st and once it's gone, it's gone for good. Few people realize that more than one million aspiring homeowners have taken advantage of this program in recent years and now it's going away.

I am writing to you today because you had a client who recently expressed an interest in buying a Franciscus home using the $25,000 down payment gift program through Virginia Home Grant. If they are still considering a purchase, I want you to know that it's not too late. Our participating lenders have just notified us that they are able to fund purchases after the October 1st deadline as long as the eligible buyers are fully approved for financing by September 30th. Needless to say, the time to act is now!

I would not normally be writing to an agent with a potential customer to ask them to take a second look, but I feel strongly that this may truly be the opportunity of a lifetime and I don't want you or your client to miss out. And it's not just about the $25,000 down payment gift. This same legislation provides a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for first-time homebuyers. If your clients meet the requirements, they may actually qualify for both programs.

Is it worth taking a second look? I certainly think so, but the next step is up to you. Under normal circumstances, it's takes about a week to be fully approved for financing. That leaves about a week to visit one of our six participating neighborhoods, select the home that's right for your clients and get the paperwork started. If we can help in anyway, now or in the future, please know that you have our full commitment to make it happen.

Gary Werner/ President

Franciscus Homes

The offer applies to new homes in Charthouse at Eagle Harbor, Bridgewater both in Isle of Wight., The Vistas in Suffolk, One Ford Place in Chesapeake adn Grayson Pond in Virginia Beach.

Another program is availble to purchaser of select condos in the Braemar Creek Community in Williamsburg, VA.

I would be happy to assist you in expediting your home purchase and taking advantage of this soon to expire program

Although there isn't much to see yet I thought I would post a few pictures of the latest development in the Williamsburg/ james City County area of Virginia. Located on five hundred and fifty acres of beautiful rolling terrain is Liberty Ridge . This all new community will only have one hundred and thirty eight select homes sites ranging in size from three to nine acres. Some of the amenities of Liberty Ride will include a resort style swimming pool secluded on it's own three acres site a prefect place to retreat from the heat of the day. A clubhouse withan out door fireplace, children's play area and an activity field. Also featured are two large community parks with picnic table and walking trails You will find jogging/ biking trails throughout the community

Liberty Ridge Williamsburg Virginia

Liberty Ridge Williamsburg Virginia

• Liberty Ridge will share a border with James City Counties " Freedom Park"  Rich in history, this 676-acre park preserves the First Free Black Settlement in America (1803), the Revolutionary War Battle of Spenser's Ordinary (1781) and includes a recreation of 17th century domiciles. Peaceful and relaxing, take some time to enjoy open meadows and trails. The park  includes an  open meadow, parking, mountain bike and hiking trails and the Williamsburg Botanical "Ellipse Garden." If you enjoy mountain Biking you can access and ride the trails at Freedom Park from your new home at Liberty Ridge. The trail was built and is maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountainbike Association (www.evma.org)... It isn't as long as York River or Waller Mill (yet), but will give you more of a workout than either one. The EVMA's ultimate goal is to have 25 miles of single track at Freedom Park

Currently building lots range in price from the high $200's to $500,000. Some choice waterfront lots will be available on the creek. Finished homes will be available from some of the areas finest home builders. Nearby are over 15 public golf courses. Colonial Williamsburg, shopping, new hospital and much more.

Minutes away  from Liberty Ridge -  are Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and the College of William and Mary, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.

Williamsburg is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., between Richmond and hour from the beautiful beaches of Virginia Beach. With the mountains to the west and the ocean to the east, its the perfect place to live.

The developer of Liberty Ridge East West Partners has been developing award-winning communities and resorts in seven states across America since 1972. Some of their other quality communities include Brandermill ( Their first) home to 4,400 families and  named the "Best Planned Community in America" in 1977 by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and the National Association of Homebuilders. The second community, Woodlake, also near Richmond, was chosen "Best Planned Community in America" by the 14,000 members of Urban Land Institute in 1990.

 Gatling Pointe community near set the benchmark for community development in the area, and was a three-time "Community of the Year" recipient from the Peninsula Housing & Builders Association. The Riverfront, the developer's second master planned community in Hampton Roads has received numerous accolades and awards, including multiple "Community of the Year" and "Best Community" awards from the Tidewater Builders Association and "Best Club" in the country by the Resort & Commercial Recreation Association. Soon after The Riverfront, East West opened Eagle Harbor and Founders Pointe, both in Isle of Wight County - with  both receiving "Community of the Year" awards from the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association in their first years of development. Riverwatch is the latest East West community in the region and is an environmentally sensitive riverfront property bordering the Piankatank River in Gloucester, Virginia.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/business/real_estate

Here is another new community off of Centerville Rd in Williamsburg James City County Virginia. The Villages at Windmill Meadows a 40 acre community being developed by Associated Developers with homes starting from the $400,000's . Originally the site of a farm whose existing windmill is still standing. I am assuming it will be restored to operating condition. Seventy Eight homes are slated for construction. The model should be finished and ready for viewing within 60 days. Schools asssined at this time are Norge Elementary, Toano Middle and the new Warhill High School. Fox Hill and Longhill Station are the nearest neighborhoods.

Who said the real estate market is slow in Williamsburg VA. ? I just toured four new subdivisions in Williamsburg/ James City County all being developed within two miles of each other on Longhill and Centerville roads near Freedom Park

Prices for homes in these communities will range from the low $300's in Burlington Woods to over a million in Westport/ Fords Colony and Liberty Ridge . The one other community was The Villages of Windmill Meadows where homes will start in the $400's.

Here is a brief rundown on the Burlington Woods Subdivision:

Former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks former NFL quarterback has launched his first land development project. A 17-acre parcel of land in James City County that will become the upscale Burlington Woods community.

Not much to see since they just started clearing two weeks ago.

The Longhill Road development is Brooks' first to get off the ground and he calls it an education in progress that will build his reputation with Peninsula officials - a stepping stone to greater things.

Brooks will oversee the project through its completion, but Ryan Homes will take over the construction phase once the individual lots are prepped.

Burlington Woods will consist of 26 lots that will be of one-quarter to one-third of an acre. The four to five bedroom homes are expected to be from 2,000 to 4,500 square feet in size. Prices should start in the low $300,000 range Pre-selling the homes should begin with homes completed and closed by the end of 2009.

November 11,2008 Veterans Day

All armed services veterans are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Veteran's Day Parade in Colonial Williamsburg VA this parade, which features Fifes and Drums, Dragoons, Infantry of the 18th Century, and members of the Williamsburg community's veterans groups. At the conclusion of the parade, a commemorative service will take place at the courthouse. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Capitol on Duke of Gloucester Street.

Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the contributions of American veterans. A parade will begin on Duke of Gloucester Street and will proceed to the Courthouse. A public ceremony to honor America's veterans will take place at the Courthouse with militia and cannon crew firing volleys. Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums will perform tunes as a salute to veterans. Speakers from the past and present will add their tribute to the day's ceremony. For information, call toll-free 1-800-HISTORY.

U.S. Military Personnel And Their Families are Offered Free Admission To Colonial Williamsburg
On November 7,8,9 and 11th, 2008

The town where some of America's first patriots helped inspire a nation is honoring the modern-day men and women who now protect and defend the nation with a revolutionary deal commemorating three of America's most patriotic holidays.

Active-duty, retired, guard or reserve military personnel and their families who visit Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area or museums on November 7,8,9 or 11th 2008 Veterans Day (November 11) will receive complimentary admission tickets to the restored colonial capital of Virginia.


These tickets are available only at on-site Colonial Williamsburg ticket sales windows. The service member need not be present and free passes will be provided to immediate family members, with appropriate identification, of currently deployed U.S. troops. Throughout the year, discounted Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets also are available at participating military installations through the Morale, Welfare and Recreation/Information, Tickets and Tours Offices.

In addition to providing complimentary admission tickets, Colonial Williamsburg is offering special rates to military personnel and their families to be honored guests at any of its five hotels, the closest lodging to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, museums, dining, shopping, golf, children's activities and more.


Williamsburg is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., off Interstate 64. For more information about "Honoring Service to America," to inquire about special military hotel rates, or to make reservations, call toll-free (800) HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg's website at http://www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com.