I don’t ask for much from the few of you who read this little real estate blog … but … if you have a few moments, I’d greatly appreciate your voting for me as “best real estate agent” in Charlottesville in the C-Ville Weekly “Best of” Primaries.
That is all, and thank you.
Ironically, I am hearing cicadas in Charlottesville for the first time on a new construction site. I remember the last time they were out, we were using them for bait. 
A friend told me last week that cicadas aren’t in places where ground has been disturbed in the past 10 years. Living in Crozet, most of that space has been disturbed.
The contrast between new, graded lots and trees that will stay is striking.
I attended last night’s Crozet Community Advisory Council meeting, tweeted as much as I could and just put together a Storify of the meeting. Albemarle has a few of these Advisory Councils:
Crozet Community Advisory Council, Pantops Community Advisory Council, Places 29 (29 North), Village of Rivanna (east of Pantops) – and there are vacancies on the Pantops, Places 29 and Village of Rivanna Councils.
Here’s the thing – I learned a ton by being at and live-tweeting the meeting, and I noticed that I was getting interaction and questions from other people on Twitter who were unable to attend the meeting. I’ve made no secret of my affinity for Charlottesville Tomorrow; they are invaluable and their recent partnerships with the HooK and C-Ville will prove moreso.
But … having someone in the meeting engaging the community following was super-valuable. I’ve noticed this in Crozet several times as a watcher – one following the meeting from the outside. I’m interested in what’s happening at the meeting, but can’t attend (kids, work, family, etc) and a live-stream wouldn’t be as useful as tweets.
Take a look at the storify from last night’s Crozet meeting – there were a couple things in there that likely wouldn’t have made any story published elsewhere – they’re asides, but valuable asides, and mentions that don’t warrant individual stories. They’re valuable tweet-worthy asides.
What’s the point? The point is this -
If you can, find your way to community meetings – particularly ones that aren’t covered by media – and get involved, tweet the meetings and tell others. A lot of stuff happens and gets discussed in these meetings, and most often, the wider public learns about them after decisions are made.
The overreaching question is: How do we move to excellent urban planning?
(and how do we connect Charlottesville and Albemarle and the greater Charlottesville area?)
Thanks to Sean for the pointer.
Matt Hodges sums up current thinking:
“I’m bullish on the lending market and the real estate market locally,” said Hodges. “We believe that there’s even going to be a greater demand this year than last.”
“There was a pendulum swing where it was way too easy and then it was way too hard to get a mortgage,” said Hodges, who has worked in Charlottesville for 14 years. “Today, consumers still believe that’s it harder to get a loan than it actually is.”
From my perspective as a buyer’s representative – if you’re qualified, you can get a loan. Getting a loan is a far, far more tedious process than it used to be, but it’s absolutely doable. There are challenges that need to be navigated, including the application process, appraisals, underwriting … but these are all surmountable challenges, particularly if you as a buyer have surrounded yourself with the right team.
Remember: lenders don’t ask for things repeatedly because they are bored – they’re asking more questions because they have to. Unlike the previous market, lenders do have some risk if they make bad loans. And we all benefit from a reasonably more stringent lending world. I’m not saying it’s perfect (and never will be). The knee-jerk responses (see: HVCC) by an ignorant, paid-for Congress are extreme, but I feel that we’re on a path to balance. Hopefully. Continue reading
Bundoran Farm, the preservation development near North Garden and Batesville in Southern Albemarle was foreclosed on last year.
Dave McNair at The Hook reports on how they’re moving forward under new ownership. I’ve always loved that development and wish it was viable on a larger scale.
Either way – as Dave reports, they should be able to make a much better run at it; the original price in 2006 was $31 million; the foreclosed sale price was $7.5 million. Continue reading
No one’s surprised by this, are they? Charlottesville Tomorrow reports that two years after the sale of Biscuit Run to the Commonwealth “there is no approved master plan or funding to open the park.“
If you’re interested in reading what I never publish here, I’ll be publishing my monthly note this week; this note is a bit more personal as it’s to a deliberately limited audience. I write about real estate, ethics, insight I don’t publish here (or anywhere else).
I’m having a lot of fun writing this note, have received some of the most thoughtful replies I’ve ever received, and I’m truly grateful for the growth in readers every month. If you sign up today (or tomorrow) I’ll send you last month’s note.
