Most Recent Entries

Buyer Activity is up in Charlottesville MSA

Proof.

Lockbox Activity in Charlottesville MLS

Keep in mind that this is for the entire MLS, not just Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.

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What are Your Favorite Bills in this Year’s General Assembly?

These are the bills I’m tracking on Richmond Sunlight – bill ranging from real estate licensing to the castle doctrine to eminent domain – and quite a few more.

The Charlottesville real estate market has gotten busier since the General Assembly’s session started so my time has been more limited (and this highlights why the only ones able to really influence legislation are the ones paid to do so).

As a consumer, agreeing to Single-Agent Dual Agency would take an awful lot of consideration and trust …

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The Mortgage Settlement is Upon Us

Understanding the Mortgage Settlement is above my pay grade; frankly the only ones who are likely to understand it are the ones writing it and pushing it forward. But shouldn’t they put the Mortgage Settlement in writing?

At least Virginia will be getting $479.6 billion from the settlement. And now, FHA will be bailed out. … at what point will the government just give a million dollars to every citizen? Wouldn’t that be easier?

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Posted in General Real Estate | 1 Comment

SO Much More than a Hole in the Ground

“From the perspective of the rest of the world: one random hole in the ground. For our family on February 8, 2012: the greatest looking slice of earth we have ever seen!!!”

My client posted the above comment on the site I created to help them and us track the progress of their new home. Lots of people buy and build homes; to each

Over the past couple years, I have helped quite a few clients build new homes … it’s a fun, occasionally stressful and ultimately very rewarding process to see the finished product – both my clients and the house.

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Wegmans, Cracker Barrel and a Target on 5th Street?

Wegmans, Cracker Barrel, a Target … and maybe even a new connector road, bike paths and hiking trails on 5th Street?

We had the rumors at the Nest Report a few days ago and Charlottesville Tomorrow reports this morning that the “Fifth and Avon Center is Moving Forward.

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Lunch at the Whisky Jar

Yum.

The Whisky Jar in Charlottesville

He had me at the warm, thick cut bacon that topped my chicken sandwich. Continue reading

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Fun with Foreclosures – You Never Know What You’re Going to Find

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Posted in Charlottesville | Tagged | 2 Comments

What are the Negatives of Living in Charlottesville?

I don’t “sell” Charlottesville – I educate and inform my clients so that they can make the best decisions possible. Charlottesville is truly a great place to live; while I’ve been here for only 24 years, I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else.

With that preface, there are negatives about Charlottesville and while they’re all relative (traffic) I’d like to think there are solutions.

I’ve been having this conversation on Google+ and on Facebook in advance of posting here.

My answer to the question: Perhaps the single greatest negative with living in CharlAlbemarle is the collective inability of the City and County to implement plans – specifically for infrastructure. Their constant bickering, planning, fighting, planning, discussing, planning and then planning some more is remarkably irresponsible.

My other response was – when I have the free time, choosing what to do from the plethora of options – sporting events, theater, music, arts, etc. Seriously. There is so much to do that choosing how to fill my limited free time is challenging.

The responses have varied from lack of Implementation of infrastructure plans to bickering of the localities.

I said last year: When explaining the City/County relationship to relocating buyers, I often describe the governments as being akin to estranged husbands and wives who are sharing custody of the kids. Or as brothers and sisters who occasionally poke each other in the eye, just to see what will happen.

It’s true, and it’s pathetic. And ultimately detrimental to the quality of life. Continue reading

Posted in Albemarle, Charlottesville, General Real Estate | Tagged , | 3 Comments