Blog | Elaine VonCannon Real Estate

Green Real Estate Upgrades and Renovations: How to Save Money on Heating and Cooling

The following interview was conducted with Marlayna Phenechka, a building subcontractor based in Asheville, North Carolina who practices green building and sustainable thinking. Phenechka has worked on both residential and commercial real estate projects in...

Tax Assessment/Appraisal: How Do I Know What My Home is Worth?

If you are in the home buying or selling market, it’s important to understand the difference between tax assessment and appraisal value. Concentrate on the appraisal value because this determines your asking price. Understanding Tax...

Renovations and Upgrades: Bring it to the Bank – Part 2

In Part 1 of this article series we discussed kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms; three areas of the home that can boost value when updated or improved. Now, it’s time to talk about the other rooms in...

Williamsburg, Virginia: A Mecca for Retirement

Williamsburg Virginia is a familiar name for many because it is steeped in colonial history. In the 1920s, Rockefeller sunk millions into the renovation of historic homes, pubs, and properties. Today, Williamsburg is an early...

Things Your Mother Never Told You: Closing Costs

Buying or selling a home can be one of the most life changing decisions a consumer makes. Being educated about the real estate process and investigating the things you don’t understand is essential. Working with...

Renovations and Upgrades: Bring it to the Bank – Part 1

Renovations and upgrades can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars when done strategically, intelligently and professionally. Even if you renovate for personal reasons, consider the key areas that will put money...

Make Sure to Build Your Home With Some R & R — Reusable and Recyclable Materials

In the modern world of 2006, cultures across the globe feel the strain of a rapidly growing population. With the head count on planet Earth reaching six billion, five hundred and forty-two million, four hundred...

Take Me Home Country Road: Rural Living

In a world where the news flashes daily images of war, terrorism and crime more Americans are dreaming of a safe, quiet place to call home. They imagine moving to a small town community where...

Living Off The Grid: Tax Incentives for Alternative Electric Systems

According to the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association “the electric utility industry is the largest source of pollution in our country. Electric utilities generate 66% of the sulfur oxide pollutants, for example. The average home generates...

Banking Backlogs and Inconsistencies Plague the Mortgage System

As a REALTOR in Williamsburg, VA, I have seen many of inconsistencies with mortgage companies during a down market. Frankly, this frustrates buyers and sellers, me, my staff and colleagues. I have mortgage company incompetencies,...