Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

Clear, Honest Market Analysis. For People, Not Realtors.

General Real Estate

Show Notes from Sunday’s Radio Show Discussing Charlottesville’s Real Estate Market

As always, huge thanks to Charlottesville Podcasting Network for the podcast of Sunday’s show where we discussed the current state of the Charlottesville real estate market, among other things.

Looking back …

– Assessed values versus fair market value – why do so many homes that are on the market in Charlottesville and Albemarle have asking prices higher than the assessed values? (In this I admit that my opinion regarding assessed values has changed a bit). Assessments are a starting point when looking at market value.

Pricing a home to sell in Charlottesville – price it right from Day One, regardless of what you need or want to make.

– What are some of the steps to take in preparation/anticipation of selling a home? (Contact a good Realtor – one who can provide good, dispassionate advice). Less about staging and de-cluttering and more about the psychological steps taken to prepare for selling.

– Selling vacant homes in Charlottesville –

– This is the story about vacant homes and homeowner’s insurance

Getting rid of the house.

– “Accidental landlords” – Accidental Landlords and the Shadow Inventory

What if – you can’t sell your home for more than you paid for it? Short sales, strategic defaults (a new phenomenon) – Are strategic defaults more, ethical, business? Businesses are held to different standards than homeowners – right, wrong?

Fannie Mae Cracking Down on Walkaways

Fannie Mae’s Announcement (no longer available) – “Fannie Mae will also take legal action to recoup the outstanding mortgage debt from borrowers who strategically default on their loans in jurisdictions that allow for deficiency judgments”

Lenders Chase Borrowers for Money Lost in Foreclosures (archived: 2010) – “In many states — such as Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Virginia, to name a few — lenders have the legal right, known as a deficiency judgment, to go after borrowers who owe money on their foreclosed home. The lender can reclaim the losses on the difference between the selling price of the distressed home and the amount owed on the home, also known as a deficiency. “

– Should everyone be a homeowner? How does a professional Realtor advise someone to not buy a house? Isn’t it in the National Association of Realtors’ members’ best interests to have everyone be homeowners? What does the transience and emerging mobile culture do to the Realtors’ business? Charlottesville Realtors are competing for fewer transactions.

Charlottesville is a great place to retire, so sayeth Kiplinger – what might this ranking do to the Charlottesville area? Is the Charlottesville area housing market accessible to to seniors?

What is the Charlottesville real estate market doing right now? –

Ignore the national real estate data

Charlottesville and Albemarle foreclosures are increasing

Detroit’s bulldozing homes; Charlottesville’s not that bad.

— One of the reasons that the Culpeper market has been hurt so badly – It’s the exurbs.

Finally, the tax credit closing deadline was maybe going to be extended, then it died. Inmates got the tax credit.

Interested in Learning More?

I have been been representing buyers and sellers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Central Virginia since 2001. Get local insight born of experience.

Dig Deeper

Always Read Covenants and Restrictions

Always Read Covenants and Restrictions

You never know what you're going to find when you dig into Covenants and Restrictions. "1. No shop, store, trailer, temporary living structure, factory, hospital, asylum, institution, tourist home or business house of any kind, and no apartment house shall be erected or maintained on…

Revisiting the “0 to 5 Buyer is Gone” Post – 15 years later

Revisiting the “0 to 5 Buyer is Gone” Post – 15 years later

Revisiting the “0-5 Buyer Is Gone” Theory We’re in a different market now. Some of the people who bought between 2021 and 2024 are trying to sell — and the ones who bought new construction, now competing against new construction, are having a hard time.…

A Charlottesville e-bike Success Story

A Charlottesville e-bike Success Story

I have an e-bike. I love my e-bike. I ride it to meetings all over the City of Charlottesville instead of driving my car. e-bikes are great. A friend got an e-bike. He loves his e-bike. He has a different perspective, and I asked him…

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide Part 1 covered the data. Part 2 covered the design. This week: the regulatory landscape, the ADU reality check, and the practical checklist. The ADU Conversation Has Changed When I wrote about this in…

Interested in Learning More?

My goal is simple: help my clients – buyers or sellers – make good decisions.