August 2015 Monthly Note |Religion, real estate, the market and money

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Discussed: Religion, real estate, the market and money | Note from Jim

#31

Boys and Girls Club Challenge

Completing a 100 mile ride is something I never thought 1) about and 2) that I’d ever do. I did it last year and raised several hundred dollars for the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville. I’m riding 100 miles again this year and I’m asking for money from you. I don’t ask for much, but if you can spare a few bucks, I would be grateful and so will the kids who will benefit.. You can give here.

Religion and real estate
I recently worked with some wonderful buyers who are seeking to plant a church in the Charlottesville area. Like many of the buyers with whom I work, they want to be part of something, they want a community. They seek connectivity  – both physical and social. They want to be  around people, have kids in the neighborhood with whom their kids can befriend, and to feel welcomed.

Much of what they’re seeking is what they also seek to offer with their church – a place to belong, a welcoming place that opens its doors to others. The similarities are striking between what buyers are looking for and what churches strive to offer. We all want to be part of something.

I’d like to think that the Charlottesville area is like that – welcoming to most.

 

Last month I asked, “What do you love about living in Charlottesville?”

I love these two responses.

My favorite thing about living in the Charlottesville area is being surrounded by a hundred different facets of beauty. From the architecture, to the murals, to the mountains, lakes and streams, to the hiking trails, to the people. Everywhere I look, I am able to find beauty in some shape or form.

I was thinking about the above on a recent bike ride, so much so that I slowed down then turned around to take this:

I thought about truncating this response more, but think it represents one of my favorite parts of the Charlottesville area:

(Watching the City and County interact) … I became a bit disillusioned. And then I found Charlottesville Twitter.

It’s not a big group, but it seems to grow. It’s a conversation, ongoing and polite. Its great people coming together to discuss the problems and earnestly try to advance solutions that make sense. There’s Sean Tubbs, and the rest of the C’ville journalists trying to cover the countless meetings and hearings. There’s Neil Williamson, putting a critical eye to every decision, without hyperbole or grandstanding. There’s academics, entrepreneurs, realtors, candidates and, most importantly of all, citizens. We don’t always agree, but watching citizens engage with the problems that affect their communities is always a delight.

My favorite part of Charlottesville is the welcoming group of people that’s trying to do the best they can to make our community better; a group so welcoming, in fact, they’re letting me pitch in.
Which leads to this month’s question – What two things would you change about Charlottesville?

Two Requests for You 

 

I like how Dave Pell at NextDraft says this, so I’m borrowing his words: “I’m calling out a favor. Forward today’s edition to one other person and tell them to sign up or get the app. Do it. Trust me, they will thank you.” If a friend is thinking about buying or selling, please do forward this to them.

Sort of on that note, please unsubscribe. Every month between 60% and 70% of you open this note every month. If you’re not finding value, please, as much as it hurts to ask, please, unsubscribe. I don’t want to clutter your mailbox (I hate mine, too!). And for those who read every month, thank you so much. Really.

The Market

The market is smoking hot. Multiple offers abound.
The market is dead. I’ve had two showings in two months!
The market is varied. Some good, some great, some horrible, some stable.

“The market” depends on the lens through which you view it.

Albemarle County, 2015 vs 2014 (excluding new construction “proposed listings)
YTD sold totals – 960 in 2015 vs 883 in 2014  — sales are up about 9% year over year.

# of New Listings

Single family homes: 105 vs. 116

Attached homes: 36 vs. 45

Condos: 12 vs. 25

Total: 153 vs 186 (down 18%)

# of Contracts:

Single family homes: 95 vs. 88

Attached homes: 26 vs. 22

Condos: 13 vs. 14

Total: 134 vs 124 (contracts up 8% is a good thing, right?)

# of Solds

Single family homes: 116 vs. 128

Attached homes: 33 vs. 34

Condos: 14 vs. 13

Total: 153 vs 175 (down about 14% — lower good inventory may be a culprit)

July in the City of Charlottesville — 2015 vs. 2014
YTD sold totals – 339 in 2015 vs 324 in 2014 — Sales are up about 5% year over year. Remember this.

# of New Listings:

Single family homes: 38 vs. 47 — down 19%. 

Attached homes: 10 vs. 10

Condos: 8 vs. 9

Total: 56 vs 66 

# of Contracts:

Single family homes: 28 vs. 32

Attached homes: 7 vs. 5

Condos: 4 vs. 4

Total: 39 vs. 41

# of Solds:

Single family homes: 29 vs. 57 (Wow! But remember the YTD numbers above?)

Attached homes: 13 vs. 10

Condos: 5 vs. 9

Total: 47 vs 76

A reminder about people

I’ll get into this more next month, but let this serve as a reminder that people aren’t all bad. Focusing on the terrible interactions is so much easier than recognizing the genuine good in people, Those who are appreciative, aware, and thoughtful are much, much more prevalent than those who present examples of enormous negativity.
On the Blogs

RealCentralVA – 12 Stories

RealCrozetVA – 10 Stories

What I’m reading

Have a great month, everyone.

— Jim

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