Staylor Carter Construction, believing in helping buyers reduce the total costs of home ownership have agreed to make their new construction on White Marsh Road in Surry, Virginia available as an energy efficient home at no additional costs to the buyer. This is a 10-15% premium upgrade at no costs! This home will sit on 2 acres, feature almost 2,000 sq. ft, a huge master suite, and an attached 2-car, rear loading garage. And the utility bills will be more than 40% less than a normal home. For only $299,000, one can have their dream home in the country with low utility bills, and still be close to Surry, Surry Power Station, the historic waterfront town of Smithfield, Virginia, or HWY 460.

For more information on this wonderful opportunity, or to learn more about energy efficient homes, contact Tim Churchwell or Shearl Adkins at (757) 356-5541 or visit www.tchurchwell.com. Tim Churchwell and Shearl Adkins are Reatlors with GSH Real Estate. They are located at 340 Main St. in the waterfront town of Smithfield, Virginia. For the convenience of our clients, we maintain offices throughout Hampton Roads and can meet you at any of our offices.

What is a high performance home? A high performance (HP) home is designed and built from the ground up using the latest scientific construction methods that ensure superior strength, optimum indoor air quality, and high energy efficiency. A HP home relies on systems-engineered design, quality-controlled construction, and performance testing to ensure that it is healthy, comfortable, affordable, energy-efficient, durable, and environmentally responsible.

HP homes are inherently stronger and more energy efficient than typically constructed homes as they incorporate the use of superior materials, systems, and techniques such as:

$ Sealing the home's "envelope" and heating and cooling ducts. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) while lowering utility and maintenance costs. IAQ is optimized through the use of whole house electronic air cleaners, energy recovery ventilators, solid metal HVAC ducting, and low VOC indoor paints. Moisture control for the house exterior provides for a lower humidity level inside the house. $ Modified wall construction that is suited to design needs, environmental factors, and climate zone variations. Engineered lumber, six-inch (6") exterior wall studs, and in some cases solid concrete with rebar are used extensively throughout a HP home. The improved wall design will contribute to added utility savings and extended longevity of the dwelling itself. $ Effective installation of insulation and subsequent inspection will ensure even temperatures throughout the house, while using less energy. $ Proper sizing and placement of the HVAC system will allow for less energy use and lower utility bills. $ Protective coatings on energy efficient windows; along with improved frame assembly, will help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Thus, resulting in additional energy savings. $ The use of energy efficient light fixtures, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and energy efficient appliances will additionally contribute to further energy savings.

To qualify as a HP Home, the dwelling must consume forty percent (40%) less energy than a home built to the 1995 Model Energy Code. Such an energy efficient home will provide a remarkable cost savings for the homeowner not only now, but throughout the extended economic life of the home. In today's environment of constant rising energy costs, high performance homes represent the best overall value for the cost.

ODEC Southside offers construction in Surry, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, and Williamsburg, Virgnia.

Look for more information forthcoming about how you can save energy, money, and the environment by utilizing these construction methods. For immediate information, contact Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 Shearl Adkins (757) 696-3207 or visit www.tchurchwell.com.

Tim Churchwell and Shearl Adkins are located 340 Main St., in the historic waterfront town of Smithfield, Virginia. For the convenience of our clients, we maintain offices throughout Hampton Roads and can meet you at any of our locations.

Tim Churchwell and Shearl Adkins with GSH Real Estate are pleased to announce they have entered into a strategic relationship with Old Dominion Engineering and Contracting (ODEC) Southside to provide High Performance, energy efficient homes throughout Hampton Roads.

"We are extremely delighted to be chosen to represent such exemplary builders. Not only are they extraordinary builders, they are also engineers, utilizing the latest engineering concepts to build better, stronger, more energy efficient homes," said Tim Churchwell, Realtor.

"With energy prices soaring, buyers are demanding more ways to cut costs. In addition to saving money, buyers of energy efficient homes are also working toward saving the environment."

According to James Carter, President of ODEC Southside, "A High Performance (HP) home is designed and built from the ground up using the latest construction methods that ensure superior strength, optimun indoor air quality, and high efficiency. A HP designed home relies on systems-engineered design, quality controlled construction, and performance testing to ensure that it is healthy, comfortable, affordable, energy efficient, durable, and environmentally responsible. To qualify as an HP home, the dwelling must consume forty percent (40%) less energy than a home built to the 1995 Model Energy Code. Such an energy efficient home will provide remarkable cost savings for the homeowner now only now, but throughout the extended economic life of the home."

ODEC Southside offers construction in Surry, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, and Williamsburg, Virgnia.

Look for more information forthcoming about how you can save energy, money, and the environment by utilizing these construction methods. For immediate information, contact Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 or Shearl Adkins at (757) 696-3207 or via www.tchurchwell.com.

Tim Churchwell and Shearl Adkins are located 340 Main St., in the historic waterfron town of Smithfield, Virginia. For the convenience of our clients, we maintain offices throughout Hampton Roads and can meet you at any of our locations.

Just listed an immaculate home in Riverwalk in Chesapeake, Virginia for under $200,000. This very well maintained home features two master suites, recently replaced windows, new light fixtures, fireplace. Find serenity in the private back yard with the perfect entertaining deck. Just a short walk to the clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts. For more information, check out http://gshre.com/0831755.ad or visit www.tchurchwell.com. To arrange your personal tour, call Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 or Shearl Adkins at (757) 696-3207.

105 Corbett Place in desireable Wolftrap Estates in Yorktown, Virginia has just had a major price reduction! Imagine being able to live in this sought after community near Langley for only $274,900! Sitting on a cul-de-sac, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home features a private lot, a master suite, sunroom, skylights, decking, and a private balcony. Call Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 or Shearl Adkins at (757) 696-3207 or visit www.tchurchwell.com for more information. To see this wonderful opportunity, check out www.gshre.com/0822789.ad

deliberately didn't talk about "cap rates" in the prior commercial article as I wanted the blog to be a very general introduction. I didn't want to scare away people by using terminology, math, or accounting formulas. However, when considering investment property, whether from a seller viewpoint or a purchaser, one must examine capitalization rates, commonly referred to as "cap rate".

Essentially, cap rate refers to the expected net return on a specific property. It is calculated by taking the gross rents (all rents, fully occupied) subtracting vacancies and credit loss (people not paying) to derive effective rents. Then all expenses, specific to the property, are subtracted from total effective rents. Note that income taxes and debt service are not included. The number derived will produce the net operating income for the property. The net operating income is then divided by the required return (for the buyer) to derive a purchase price.

GI-Vacancies/Loss=Effective Rents

Effective Rents -- Operating expenses = NOI

NOI divided by expected return = Purchase Price

This is important to the seller, as well. Investment properties are priced based on cap rates (and a few other considerations). If a property is producing a NOI of $100,000 and the market expects a 10% return for that type of property, the expected sells price is $1,000,000. Thus, the seller should not expect a price of $2,000,000.

While cap rate is a very important component of commercial investment analysis, there are other considerations utilized in making these decisions. Internal Rate of Return, Gross Rents Multiplier, Cost per square foot, etc. are all analysis tools used in the decision making process. A professional who understands these calculations should be consulted when listing or purchasing investment property.

For more information, please visit my website at www.tchurchwell.com or email me at tchurchwell@gsh.com or call Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986.

20142 Magnolia Court W is a custom home, over 3400 sq. ft. that sits on 1.6 acres on the water. The sellers have just reduced the asking price to only $524,900. This custom waterfront home features such upgrades as an in ground sprinkler system, central vac, natural gas grill, granite countertops, custom cabinets, an office, and wired inside and out for music. Relax on the back deck overlooking the water, never having to worry about the tank running out while grilling. Gatling Pointe is a waterfront community of custom homes located in the waterfront historical town of Smithfield, Virginia. It features large lots, sidewalks, playgrounds, a private restaraunt, boat slips, pier, pool, tennis courts, and many more amenities. Waterfront living just like you've always dreamed.

Call Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 or Shearl Adkins at (757) 696-3207 to arrange a private tour or http://gshre.com/0823206.ad for more information on this wonderful home. For other properties, be sure to visit www.tchurchwell.com.

100 Clipper Creek, a 3,200 sq. ft. low country style home located in the waterfront community of Gatling Pointe in Smithfield, Virginia has just slashed the price to $424,900! This home features a first floor master suite, a wrap around front porch, a first floor office/library, a screen back porch, 3.5 baths, and is only a couple of blocks from the waterfront, the yacht club, the marina, the pool, the playgrounds.

To arrange a private showing or for more information on this lovely home, call Tim Churchwell at (757) 456-1986 or visit www.tchurchwell.com today. Other homes available.

Gatling Pointe is a waterfront community in Smithfield, Virginia and centrally located to Hampton Roads. Featuring deep water, deep water access, a private restaraunt, a marina, sidewalks, mature landscaping, playgrounds, and wonderful residents. Located only minutes from Langley, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Norfolk, come take a look at this secret of living in Hampton Roads. This is waterfront living like you've always dreamed.

This is on everyone's mind. While I am a big believer that out of chaos comes opportunity (would you rather buy when everyone else is buying?), there are several factors which need to be evaluated before answering this question. Each person and each situation is unique.

1. What type of property? (e.g. residential, attached/detached)

2. What price range? Absorption rate analysis shows us that certain areas (as in price range) of the market are actually doing very well, showing activity, lower days on market, and stable pricing. Other areas are still experiencing well over 12 months on market and price declines.

3. What is your time horizon? This should be considered in any type of major financial decision, be it a home, land, rentals, stocks, bonds, etc. Pertaining to buying a home, however, ask yourself if you expect to be in the house for at a min. of three years. Realistically, should plan for at least five years. While any market goes through "swings" in short term trends, over time real estate does appreciate. But why take the risk in the short term? Placing a significant portion of your assests in any fluctuating asset in the short term is called gambling.

4. If you are considering purchasing a home from a purely investment decision, then calculate your after-tax return versus renting. E.g. Rent for $1000/mo. but purchase for $1,200/mo may seem like more expenses, but after taxes, you may only be paying the equivalent of $800/mo.

5. Will you be enjoy the purchase? Perhaps values may decline a little further (though any decline may be offset with increasing financing terms). Will you be happy living in the home and area? Is this the waterfront home in historic Smithfield you've always dreamed about? Or the oceanfront estate? Or the log cabin? If so, then you can wait until the valuations increase.

6. The final question you need to ask is have you called me to help you find the property? Or visited my website at www.tchurchwell.com?

The 27 acres on the James River, with approximately 780 ft of waterfront, in Smithfield, VA is under contract. The land is commonly referred to as the FFA Camp. If you were interested in this outstanding piece of waterfront property, please contact me as there may be another piece coming available. You can call me or visit my website at www.tchurchwell.com.