Author Archives: Jim
Charlottesville People – Do you Care What the National Association of Realtors Say?
I know I’m a broken record. I get a tremendous amount of value from the National Association of Realtors – from their publications (On Common Ground is tremendous), to the lobbying they do to the information they share … but as far as home sales data and projections, I don’t understand why there is so much gnashing of teeth and complaining about the NAR’s projections and data. The NAR is a trade organization for Realtors. I’m not bashing the NAR, but I would like to see their analysis put in the appropriate context.
Understanding the Charlottesville area real estate market is a full-time job – representing buyers and sellers, analyzing the market, etc.; making sense of the nation’s housing market – I’d go so far as to say it’s impossible to do accurately or credibly.
For a brief summary of where we are in Charlottesville:
Nest’s January 2012 Real Estate Summary
And the “Market Statistics” category in RealCentralVA. Or, better yet, if you have a question about the market, start your research looking at the broader market statistics and then, ask me.
To see the responses to the title question from those on Twitter, read the rest of the story.
A Longer Western Bypass?
If nothing else, there might be something additional to study. Charlottesville Tomorrow reports: “A proposal to extend the planned Western Bypass of U.S. 29 further northward is among the potential concepts that will be presented this afternoon to the Metropolitan Planning Organization policy board for possible inclusion in the region’s long-range transportation plan.”
What you Browse & Buy Can be Used Against You
By “Used against you” I mean: How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did, a compelling (and compellingly succinct) analysis of the New York Times’ How Companies Learn Your Secrets.
If you use the internet or shop online or in stores, you owe it to yourself to read those two stories.
I have no doubt that the big real estate sites such as Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin are doing this type of deep analysis – and if you use Facebook, everything you do online is being tracked – but I’m curious as to what the triggers or specific data points are that demonstrate that a consumer is moving towards the buying or selling phase of life.
My guesses at which search queries are indicative of this shift -
- moving to (a specific location)
- buying a home in (Charlottesville)
- best schools in (Charlottesville)
- homes for sale close to (UVA)
- Best neighborhoods in (Charlottesville)
Those are obvious. I’m wondering if a sudden surge in purchases of Magic Erasers or Windex
And, the author’s suggestion to use cash to prevent companies from tracking you? That could make you a terrorist. (and if you have a cell phone, you’re being tracked anyway)
Searching for homes in Charlottesville – Zillow, Trulia, MLS?
Not much has changed in the nearly four years since I first wrote about how to search for homes in Charlottesville.
I know consumers use these sites, but they tend to not be the most accurate if you’re looking for homes to see this weekend.
But if you’re looking for the most accurate listings and what I feel is the best, most user-friendly and functional home search tool in Charlottesville, I really and truly think that the search tool here at RealCentralVA is the best in the area. Continue reading
Monday Reads – 20 February 2012
Redfin Gets Traditional – I’ve long admired Redfin – their use of data and technology, their willingness to counter the status quo (and back it up) and their humility and willingness to shift to the market and realize that real estate is about more than data and technology.
… This technology won’t substitute for personal relationships, but personal relationships won’t substitute for technology either. A modern brokerage can’t compete without both, and without creating a new covenant between consumers and agents. The old model is broken in some ways, but it works in others. With Redfin 3.0, our humble hope is to give our customers the best of both.
Are gas prices affecting your decisions? (specifically your “Where should I live” decisions?)
Thanks, GasBuddy. Continue reading
Beer and Wine in Charlottesville – The Nest Series Continues
Buyer Activity is up in Charlottesville MSA
Keep in mind that this is for the entire MLS, not just Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.
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 …
