Category Archives: Buyers
How to Choose a Buyer’s Agent (in Charlottesville)
Choosing a buyer’s agent is a challenging thing … and should be among your first steps in the home buying process. I’ve put together six questions for you to ask when interviewing a buyer’s agent …
The Most Important Home Inspection in the New Construction Process
The most important home inspection in the new construction process …
I tend to represent a lot of buyers who are building new homes in the Charlottesville area, and while I know which builders to trust and and which ones to be more wary of, I advise my buyers to always have home inspections at various phases of the building process. Trust but Verify.
Having a home inspection at various phases of the home construction process is crucial; one of the home inspectors I use told me that this inspection phase is the most difficult and challenging one as … Continue reading…
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.
Deciding to NOT Move To Charlottesville – How Much is That Worth?
How much would a customer/buyer be willing to pay for the advice to *not* move to Charlottesville?
A few weeks ago, I spent a full day with prospective Charlottesville residents, wonderful people who were evaluating whether Charlottesville is right for them. Ultimately, with my help, guidance, expert advice and insight, they decided that Charlottesville is not the right place for them. (that’s ok, Charlottesville’s a great place to live, but we can’t be everything to everyone!)
Thank you so much for spending the day with us in Charlottesville. You should be hired by the Chamber of Commerce, you are absolutely a great cheerleader for your town.
My question is – what is coming to that decision worth?
Year-End Review of the Charlottesville Real Estate Market
So far* in 2011, more homes have sold this year in Charlottesville and Albemarle than sold last year in the same timeframe. Who knew?
Listen to the podcast of my discussion with Coy Barefoot as we look back at the 2011 Charlottesville real estate market and a look forward to 2012.
Year End Review of the Charlottesville Real Estate Market [ 17:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadI’m not saying that the depression is over, but the fact that more homes have sold in Charlottesville and Albemarle, year over year, is a good thing. That the outlying counties’ numbers are down is due to a slew of factors, from foreclosures and short sales to people acting on their desires to be close to stuff. Walkability=Affordability=Profitability=Livability
Attitudes of Young Americans Bode Ill for Housing Recovery (Forbes) – This is something that is going to affect all real estate markets, not just Charlottesville’s, for years (decades?).
The lack of assets isn’t the only encumbrance to housing: Echo Boomers value education, people and leisure more than other American generations. Of the Echo Boomers I spoke with, 13% were homeowners, yet less than a third reported interest in owning a home someday (with female Echo Boomers wanting homes more than male Echo Boomers). They preferred graduate degrees, living in social areas (not suburbs) and freedom instead of homeownership. A few of these Echo Boomers will need a decade to pay off their student loans after which another large loan, like a mortgage, might lack appeal. And while suburbs seem to offer community and safety, they also add transportation costs with a lack of social diversity.
Goodbye, 0-5 Buyer -OR- Finance a House or an Education? (RealCentralVA)
People are staying in their homes longer – whether by choice or necessity. If selling is not a viable option, you need to fall in love with your house all over again.
Residential Remodeling Index at new high in October (Calculated Risk)
Now in Vogue: Practical Remodeling (Wall Street Journal)
UVA Credit Union’s Power Saver Loan-
These new PowerSaver loans will offer qualified homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice, such as replacement doors and windows, metal or asphalt roofs, HVAC systems, water heaters, insulation, duct sealing, solar panels, ground source heat pump systems and more.
Interest Rates are still historically low – and they won’t start to matter until they rise.
Shadow Inventory – What will it’s affect be on the Charlottesville real estate market?
Thinking about Buying or Selling in the Spring?
If you’re thinking about buying a home or selling a home in the Charlottesville area in the spring, these are three stories of interest:
1 – When do homes come on the market in Charlottesville? Short answer: Spring. Longer answer: look at the data.
2 – Preparing to Sell a House in Charlottesville – Step one: start the process now. (get the right representation)
3 – Preparing to buy a home in Charlottesville – Step one: ask questions. Step two. Get representation.
There is sooo much more to write, (I’m approaching the 7 year anniversary of this little blog) but … Continue reading…
Showing property in my office
This is how I showed houses last week – from the comfort of my office. Technology is fun. When it works.
This phase of the process was all about eliminating geographical areas of Charlottesville-Albemarle. Once we accomplished that phase, we were able to have a much more productive time in the car.
