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© B U S I N E S S FORECAST 2009 WILLIAMSBURG’S BUSINESS LEADERS GIVE US THEIR INSIGHT INTO WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ON A LOCAL LEVEL IN REAL ESTATE, CREDIT UNIONS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WEALTH MANAGEMENT, TOURISM, BANKING AND AUTOMOTIVE. Linda Kinsman, Frank Smith, Dr. James Golden Cover Photo by Lisa Cumming We’ve all heard or viable by finding ways to be more innova- bringing you two new features each month read enough news to get tive and efficient. We must work harder and that are not directly tied to the theme of the a sense of how the econ- smarter to keep our customers engaged in issue and new talent to create this portion of omy is fairing, but even our products and services. the magazine. the national experts can’t In the pages ahead, you will read what a I’d like to introduce you to Greg Lilly, seem to agree on what lies handful of our experienced business leaders writer, novelist, graphic designer and former Meredith Collins, ahead. There are so many say about what they believe we can expect managing editor of Sedona Home & Garden Publisher economic variables in in their industries on a local level in 2009. I magazine, and now Next Door Neighbor’s flux that even the most experienced business hope the following interviews will give you new Lifestyle Editor. Greg’s writing has ap- people are left scratching their heads trying positive resolve in challenging times. peared in magazines and media outlets such to predict the future. I have had a number as Southwest Art magazine and Art Talk. He of recent conversations about the business recently relocated from Sedona, Arizona to climate with highly respected local business Williamsburg. people and understandably, not one of them Beginning with the February issue, Greg could provide a confident forecast of what Next Door Neighbors is will bring you timely human interest stories exactly we can expect in the months ahead. taking the next step about locals relating to Home and What these experienced business people in its evolution Health, our two new departments. do say is that downturns are a part of normal by improving its We value your input and will business cycles and that recovery is always current format. continue to evolve to meet the somewhere on the horizon. No one, includ- We will be challenges of today’s econo- ing the people we interviewed for this issue, my and to keep you engaged can predict how long it will be before there in your community with is an upturn in the marketplace. Most agree, positive stories about your however, that a certain amount of what hap- friends and neighbors. pens locally depends on what we do. As con- Greg Lilly sumers, we impact our local economy one Lifestyle Editor Thank you for reading purchase at a time. As businesses, we stay Next Door Neighbors! MAKE IT, TAKE IT, BAKE IT! Inside For a healthy lifestyle, try our PAGE 3 PAGE 15 Linda Kinsman Richard Schreiber Extreme REAL ESTATE TOURISM PAGE 6 PAGE 18 Fitness Meals! Christopher Burgess Larry Dillon CREDIT UNIONS BANKING off with this ad % or use promo code “NN10” PAGE 9 PAGE 21 when registering online. Dr. James Golden Jim Hernandez 10 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTOMOTIVE - Developed by Supper Thyme USA Corporate Chef PAGE 12 PAGE 23 - 325 calories or less Frank Smith Hey Neighbor! - Low in fat WEALTH MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS - Emphasis on higher protein and lower carbohydrates Pre-assembled meals that are designed for individuals seeking a low calorie and/or healthy eating lifestyle. Includes 10 home- made meals, 3 servings in each pan, for a total of 30 servings. Call (757) 229-1262 4854 Longhill Rd., Williamsburg www.supperthymeusa.com 2 NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSJANUARY 2009 WWW.WBURGNDN.COM FORECAST 2009 Real Estate LINDA KINSMAN By Natalie Miller-Moore Sometimes economic fore- altor is actually an additional ac- casts are like weather forecasts: creditation, which Kinsman says is no matter what you predict to- important. tally unexpected events can blow “When times are slow, it’s the in and change everything. In last best time for agents to get edu- year’s real estate forecast, several cated. I always tell people who are top brokers expected a stabiliza- looking to buy or sell that they tion of the market in Williams- should ask an agent about the let- burg, but the reality in 2008 was ters after their name. It says a lot not as sunny. about the time they’ve taken to Although Williamsburg is of- educate themselves,” she said. ten thought to be insulated from That alphabet soup of letters some of the national factors af- can be confusing, but it’s also one fecting the real estate market, it of WAAR’s goals – to provide continues to experience soft sales. education for real estate agents. Home sales in the feeder mar- It can mean taking classes to be- kets of Northern Virginia and come a senior housing specialist, a the Northeast have slowed con- specialist in new home sales, focus siderably and that has prevented on representing buyers, or other people who would like to move to special designations, and they are the Williamsburg area from being worth looking into. Kinsman said able to. On the bright side, Wil- that just like any non-profit or liamsburg has been less affected trade association, the economic by subprime mortgages and therefore has estate is local. She thinks Williamsburg will squeeze puts the pressure on for them to had fewer foreclosures impacting the market weather the next storm. “History says that offer more to their constituents. than many other cities across the country. Williamsburg doesn’t go with the national In order to lead WAAR with no conflict According to Linda Kinsman, Chief Ex- trend - it usually does better,” she said. of interest Kinsman does not have a Real- ecutive Officer of the Williamsburg Area WAAR is a local trade association for tor’s license; however, she’s had plenty of Association of Realtors (WAAR), all real real estate agents. The designation of Re- experience in the real estateSuzi Williamsonindustry. Kins- WWW.WBURGNDN.COM NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSJANUARY 2009 3 man and her husband came to Williamsburg encourages people to get a deal for them- WAAR was chartered in 1956 and has grown in 1976 from Northern Virginia. She started selves. “I think that fence-sitters should be- significantly. “When I first started, we had a working part-time for WAAR in 1981. As ware…this is a good time to buy, and the total of 100 members and we now service the area’s real estate opportunities grew, so interest rates are good, but the concessions approximately 700 to 900,” she said. did the organization and her role within it. Kins- man now supervises a “I think that fence-sitters should beware…this is a good time staff of five full-time to buy, and the interest rates are good, but the concessions employees as the CEO. are really what could be valuable.” - Linda Kinsman, WAAR “When my husband and I bought our house, it was the late 1980s and we were flying high are really what could be valuable. And, there Personally, Kinsman says she’s proud of because we’d gotten an interest rate of 11¾ are a lot of houses on the market, so you the work that WAAR does in the communi- %. What a deal, we thought. Then, when can find just what you want. Or, if you find ty and that the members are generous - with the interest rates were around 16%, it was. almost what you want, tell the seller and see their time and money, no matter what the But today I see people waiting for the rates what you can work out,” she said. market. “We’ve done Angel Trees and golf to go down before making a decision and I How is the real estate market affecting tournaments and Housing Partnership proj- wonder about that.” the people her organization serves? “Well, ects and rung bells for the Salvation Army. Kinsman is taking the long-term view on we’ve seen a decline in non-renewals as It’s important to us and it’s important that real estate, especially because it’s cyclical. Af- some people leave real estate, but I think we are visible in the community,” she said. ter one of the longest housing booms ever that it says that the people who stay are se- Newly-elected president of WAAR, for sellers, it’s a buyer’s market again. She rious about the profession,” Kinsman said. Frank Hughes, also sees opportunities in 100% Ready for New Years? Phil Recommends: Join us for our Canard-Duchene^ Champagne Upgrade Champagne & GREAT VALUE FOR Sparkling for 33% FRENCH CHAMPAGNE! Tasting th WN120108 $ 99 Sat., Dec. 27 Hampton Campus 29 4pm to 7pm 99 Thomas Nelson Drive REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING! P.O. Box 9407 Classes Begin January 10, 2009. Hampton, VA 23670 (757) 825-2700 Upgrade your skills. Thomas Historic Triangle Campus Nelson offers upgrades for the Busch Corporate Center 161-C John Jefferson Square entire community at about Williamsburg, VA 23185 one-third the cost of four-year (757) 253-4300 colleges and universities. Southeast Higher Education Center located at An Achievable Dream Middle and High School The new Historic Triangle 5720 Marshall Avenue Campus located at Opportunity Newport News, VA 23605 Way coming in 2009. (757) 283-7820 ext. 63532 www.tncc.edu 4680-15 Monticello Marketplace, Williamsburg Explore. Excel. Succeed. (757) 564-4400 www.grapesbythecrate.com 4 NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSJANUARY 2009 WWW.WBURGNDN.COM the 2009 market.