See? The County of Albemarle and City of Charlottesville can work together! At least they’re trying.

- Please, Google, Bring Fiber to Charlottesville!

- Petition to bring Google Fiber to Charlottesville

- City, County and UVA Considering application for ultrafast Google Fiber

But … did you know that Blue Ridge InternetWorks already has laid a bunch of fiber around the City of Charlottesville?

From an Albemarle County press release:

We want Google Fiber in central Virginia!!

Albemarle County, Charlottesville and the University of Virginia are putting in a joint application to bring Google Fiber for Communities to central Virginia, and we are looking for help from the community.

A little background – Google is planning to launch an experiment that they hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. They plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. These networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. Google says they will offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.  Google’s goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better, and faster for everyone. Google plans to pay for the installation of the fiber network with no infrastructure costs to the community.

How will this help our regional community??

According to Google, “ In the same way that the transition from dial-up to broadband made possible the emergence of online video and countless other applications, ultra high-speed bandwidth will drive more innovation – in high-definition video, remote data storage, real-time multimedia collaboration, and others that we cannot yet imagine. It will enable new consumer applications, as well as medical, educational, and other services that can benefit communities. If the Internet has taught us anything, it’s that the most important innovations are often those we least expect.”

As a first step, Google is putting out a Request for Information (RFI) to help identify interested communities. They welcome responses from local government, as well as members of the public.

How can you help make this happen??
Officials from the City, County and University are hoping for an enthusiastic response from the public to help build the case to bring Google Fiber to our community. There are two ways to get involved:  

• First, Albemarle County, Charlottesville and the University of Virginia are jointly submitting a request to Google to be considered for this trial – you can help by filling in this brief survey to provide info that will be helpful in our submittal.http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHdMd2hVVUwtbTQyNFVyYTFQaFFTcVE6MA
• Second, Google is accepting nominations from residents and community groups saying why Google Fiber should come to their area – visit the following link and make your best case for why we should be the selected region, Google has said that community support will be important in making their choice.
  http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
• Links to both of these items are posted on the county and city websites, http://www.albemarle.org/googlefiber and www.charlottesville.org

We need to submit our request by March 26, so we need survey responses and community nominations to be submitted by March 22. Even if our community is not selected, this effort will gather important information for future broadband possibilities. Please fill in a survey and nominate our community today!

(when they’re asking for something for free)

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Walkability.

It’s something that more and more of my clients are seeking. One of the very first features desired by clients with whom I just met was “walkability” – being able to walk to stuff – grocery stores, coffee shops, parks … but there’s another aspect of walkability and bikeability that I have noticed since I started my effort to bike and walk around Charlottesville and Crozet – (Kelly’s biking to work now)

I’m more connected to my community. I see people more, I wave more, I see Charlottesville from a different perspective than that from a car.

This is a prime example – There is a pothole in Crozet on Crozet Avenue. This is what it looks like from my car:

And this is what it looks like when walking (incidentally, I took this photo after walking my younger one to school, stopping at the Crozet Mudhouse on the way to and from):

Granted, it’s just a pothole, but think about if it were a friend, or a dog, or a client, or a garden …Using Walkscore, these are some of the most walkable homes for sale in Crozet and these are some of the most walkable homes for sale in Charlottesville.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

There have been quite a few stories recently discussing Baby Boomers, seniors, the Charlottesville area and their housing needs. The question is – where is the housing for those seeking to age in place, plan for the future or semi- (or fully) retire in the Charlottesville area -

In addition to the lack of housing for those seeking to achieve the above goals, location is key – coming back to my “close to stuff” principle – close to groceries, libraries, things to do … but why aren’t builders capitalizing on this demand? I’ve been asking this question for years, and it seems that like much else in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area (and really, the US as a whole) we’ll wait to benefit from hindsight to recognize what we should have done.

2005 – Where is the Senior Housing?

2006 – What happens after the baby boomers?

2007 – What happens after the baby boomers? Take Two.

The short story is – the Charlottesville area really is a wonderful place to live. But we need to plan for the future.

The Daily Progress recently published a good story describing how seniors add to the vitality of the Charlottesville area – Area offers much to seniors; seniors give back*

I’m often asked why so many people choose to stay in Charlottesville or relocate here after careers wind down and children are launched. The better question is: “Why not?” We are a great community, so why wouldn’t a person at 55 or 75 or 95 enjoy living here? Indeed, the greater Char-lottesville area is often cited as a world-class community.

From Charlottesville’s recognition in 2004 as America’s best city in which to live, to the University of Virginia’s consistent ranking as one of the nation’s best public universities, to the John Paul Jones Arena’s award as the nation’s best new concert venue, we take pride in being the best. And we have resources that are particularly inviting for people in the second half of life.

The Jefferson Area Board for Aging is one of America’s most respected and recognized agencies of its kind. The UVa Health System and Martha Jefferson Hospital consistently rank among the best in their fields.

…

We can retire to a great life here in Charlottesville because we have many of the resources necessary for a high quality of life. Studies consistently show that the biggest challenge facing American communities as we age is the need to help seniors maintain their independence. Further research shows the key ingredients for independence are maintaining physical and mental wellness, continuing to have a purpose in life, and maintaining social connections and support. Fortunately, our community has many great opportunities for people to access the resources necessary to add quality to our later years.

To remain physically fit, we have fantastic outdoor recreation options and a wide variety of fitness clubs. To maintain mental fitness, we have excellent and accessible lifelong learning at the Miller Center and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (both associated with UVa) and at Piedmont Virginia Community College. There are countless options for staying socially engaged.

From the Consumerist:

Note to Baby Boomers: You might dress, look and behave significantly more youthful than your forebears, but you are still getting older. That inexorably means retirement and declining health. Unfortunately, a ton of the doctors currently practicing will be retiring along with you. The solution? More medical schools to churn out more M.D.s. After two decades in the ’80s and ’90s during which only one new medical school was opened in the U.S., approximately two dozen med schools have either recently opened or are in planning stages.

The HooK:

However, while Charlottesville is often touted as an attractive retirement destination for all those Boomers and offers several assisted living facilities, the Gardners discovered there weren’t many destinations they’d call home, especially in their price range. “It’s slim pickens for seniors out there,” says Lynne. “There are just not many houses in town designed for seniors.” And that would be houses with a master bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry all on the first floor— plus easy access to the street. Indeed, according to local realtor Jim Duncan, who picked up on this trend in 2005, out of the 1158 homes currently on the market in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area for under $1 million, only 143 have bedroom, kitchen, and laundry on the first floor, never mind a full bathroom.

* Links added by me.

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From the DP:

Charlottesville will pay $1.55 million to purchase the land known as the Fourth Street Station, located at 401 Fourth St. N.W., for the city’s first single-room occupancy facility, a type of transitional housing for the homeless and working poor.

And it might be a pretty good idea. The following is from a story by Malcolm Gladwell that describes what seems to me as a similar situation to the Charlottesville story.

The recruitment strategy was as simple as the one that Mangano had laid out in St. Louis: Would you like a free apartment? The enrollees got either an efficiency at the Y.M.C.A. or an apartment rented for them in a building somewhere else in the city, provided they agreed to work within the rules of the program. In the basement of the Y, where the racquetball courts used to be, the coalition built a command center, staffed with ten caseworkers. Five days a week, between eight-thirty and ten in the morning, the caseworkers meet and painstakingly review the status of everyone in the program. On the wall around the conference table are several large white boards, with lists of doctor’s appointments and court dates and medication schedules. “We need a staffing ratio of one to ten to make it work,” Post said. “You go out there and you find people and assess how ‘re doing in their residence. Sometimes we’re in contact with someone every day. Ideally, we want to be in contact every couple of days. We’ve got about fifteen people we’re really worried about now.”

The cost of services comes to about ten thousand dollars per homeless client per year. An efficiency apartment in Denver averages $376 a month, or just over forty-five hundred a year, which means that you can house and care for a chronically homeless person for at most fifteen thousand dollars, or about a third of what he or she would cost on the street. The idea is that once the people in the program get stabilized they will find jobs, and start to pick up more and more of their own rent, which would bring someone’s annual cost to the program closer to six thousand dollars. As of today, seventy-five supportive housing slots have already been added, and the city’s homeless plan calls for eight hundred more over the next ten years.

The reality, of course, is hardly that neat and tidy. The idea that the very sickest and most troubled of the homeless can be stabilized and eventually employed is only a hope.

I wonder how much is being spent now in the City on services related to caring for the homeless and whether there are parallels to the Gladwell story.

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The City of Charlottesville is contemplating adding a “neighborhood advocate” to liaise with City neighborhood associations. What about the neighborhoods without associations? Should there be a liaison for them as well?

I vote for her:

“It’s a bad use of city funds and there are too many other programs and efforts that I think the city should be involved in,” said Adena Imlay, president of the Meadowbrook Hills/Rugby Neighborhood Association. Imlay said creating another layer of bureaucracy in local government to work with neighborhoods is not the answer.

“It’s like a cancer. It just grows and grows and grows and grows,” she said.

I’m curious – why can’t people who want to be involved call the city and advocate for themselves?

This clip has one bad word, so beware. In this case, replace “customers” with “citizens” and “engineers” with either “staff” or “politicians”.

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How good (or bad) will February home sales be in Charlottesville, Albemarle and the surrounding counties?

We’ve been talking recently about what the effects the various snowpocalypses have had on the Charlottesville real estate market; people were snowed in, buyers couldn’t get out to see houses (yet another argument for high-quality photos and videos in the Charlottesville MLS), sellers couldn’t get their houses ready or activated on the market … the consensus has been that February 2010 was going to be a pretty sorry month for home sales.

But the data seem to indicate something different … February doesn’t look to be so awful relative to February 2009. I suspect that we’ll see another 10-20 contracts written at least this weekend.

This clearly does not account for canceled contracts, contracts that fall apart due to home inspections, financing or appraisal issues …

Homes – single family, attached and condos – that went under Contract in February in the Charlottesville MSA*

Homes – single family, attached and condos – that went under Contract in February in Charlottesville and Albemarle –

12 condos went under contract in February. 8 were foreclosures or short sales. Two were owned by an LLC, and the remainder appeared to be normal, private sales. This really could be the year of the short sale and more foreclosure delays.

As always, the data is after the jump.

For Charlottesville and Albemarle in February 2010 for far:

- 2 8 were new construction attached
- 31 were resale attached
- 0 9 were new construction single family detached
- 64 were resale single family detached
- 12 were condos
- 0 0 were new construction condos

(and yes, I added the above manually and they match the spreadsheet. )

Update 1 March 2010:

Thanks to Greg, I fixed the new construction numbers above.

Charlottesville MSA for these purposes includes Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson

See all previous Friday Charts at RealCentralVA, Charlottesville’s most widely read real estate blog.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

How safe is this area? Is one of the most important questions my buyer clients ask. But I can’t answer it.

This is the perfect opportunity for the County of Albemarle and City of Charlottesville to cooperate, share, partner, whatever. Just do it together.

For buyers looking in the City of Charlottesville – search for crime by neighborhood, address, intersection, bus stop, Charlottesville City parks … at Charlottesville Crime View.

Thanks to WCAV for the report.

Update 23 February 2010: I forgot about Albemarle County’s CrimeReports.com. Thanks to cvillenews for pointing it out.

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The Charlottesville Downtown Mall from Karl Krause on Vimeo.

Found via Twitter.

This is a great video describing Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall; it captures much of what makes the Mall a great place to go, to eat, to congregate, see people both on purpose and by happenstance and to have as part of our community.

There is a reason a lot of my clients say they want to be able to walk to the Downtown Mall.

These are a few of the properties with the highest Walkscore with regards to the Downtown Mall. Interestingly at this time, the ones with the highest walkscore are condos that remain a glimmer in someone’s eye.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 59. See more Homes for Sale Near Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.
(all data current as of 3/16/2010)

1. $539,500 : 307 NW 2nd St (charlottesville), Charlottesville (city Of)
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,155 sq ft

   Listed with ROY WHEELER REALTY CO.
2. $215,000 : 1214 E Jefferson St (charlottesville), Charlottesville (city Of)
   
   3 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,085 sq ft

   Listed with CENTURY 21 Ray Caddell & Associates
3. $269,900 : 901 Monticello Ave (charlottesville), Charlottesville (city Of)
   
   2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 920 sq ft

   Listed with KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
4. $155,000 : 725 Walker Sq, Charlottesville (city Of)
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 625 sq ft

   Listed with NEST REALTY GROUP
5. $284,500 : 712 West St (charlottesville), Charlottesville (city Of)
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,408 sq ft

   Listed with KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

What factors do buyers consider when relocating (to Charlottesville/Albemarle)?

Inspired by a conversation at Roost’s Facebook page, my answer to the question was:

• Schools
• Parks
• Internet Accessibility – the Charlottesville/Albemarle region does not have 100% coverage. Help, Google?
• Local Politics – democrats? republicans? agnostic?
• Are the people open-minded?
• Growth patterns
• Growth management
• Water infrastructure
• Public transit availability – Charlottesville has decent bus coverage.
• Proximity to work
• Who the neighbors are – are they at similar “life-stages” to you?
• Churches if that matters
• Proximity to grocery stores & coffee shops
• Are there bike lanes?
• Property taxes
• School budgets, school test scores, percentage of kids on free/reduced lunches
• Walkability
• Safety

These are just some of the factors that my buyer clients have recently brought up. What are some other factors that you considered or think should be considered?

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I’m not a mortgage broker or a lender in Charlottesville, but I know folks who are.

Guest post by Matt Hodges with Compass Home Loans:

FHA has picked up much loan volume that the sub-prime world vacated – so much so that for every ten new purchases, FHA insures three. This isn’t to say that FHA isn’t a great product – it is. I’ve used it for eleven years, but it’s now sustaining losses for which the up-front Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) is paying. The UFMIP helps to pay future claims on bad debt, i.e. foreclosures of FHA insured loans.

FHA tells us it’s time to pay the piper. For all new case numbers (FHA’s mechanism to keep track of loans they insure) assigned on April 5, 2010 or later, the UFMIP will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. While this isn’t a huge change to qualifying standards, it does show that FHA is looking at underwriting standards a bit closer and refilling their coffers. If a new FHA loan was originated for $100,000, currently the total loan amount with UFMIP would be $101,750. On April 5th, it will become $102,250.

To be implemented in the summer, FHA proposes to change down payments for sub-580 credit score borrowers from 3.5% to 10%. Most lenders won’t touch a sub-620 score for FHA right now, so I don’t see an immediate problem with this either. This is potentially beneficial for FHA, as it will provide additional equity in the case of foreclosure, mitigating losses.

Probably our biggest concern right now is the proposed change from 6% seller concessions down to only 3%. But, Matt, you argue, 3% is a lot of money for the seller to pay. It might be at a $200,000 loan, but at $100,000, most borrowers will expend at least $3000 in closing costs, pre-paid items and points. Remember, FHA is the loan for those who are cash-strapped.

For more detail on all three changes, review HUD’s release.

More often than not, FHA borrowers come to the table with just over 3.5% required down payment. If HUD removes the ability to get seller concessions at the lower loan amounts, they will be directly affecting the housing recovery and effectively be discriminating against poorer borrowers, who can only afford lower priced homes.

Virginia is considered a “high-cost” state, meaning closing costs are relatively higher than other states. Perhaps HUD can modify this proposed rule to accommodate for different loan sizes in different states and make the program continue to work. This is your time to voice concerns for or against this rule change NOW while HUD welcomes your comments.

–

So, what does this mean for homebuyers in Charlottesville?

It means that buying a home in Charlottesville – with an FHA loan – is going to get a bit more expensive, and is another reason that I have been advising clients – both buyers and sellers – that if they choose to buy or sell now, time is of the essence. For some, $1000 may be a make-or-break number.

Right now, for the Charlottesville MSA the FHA loan limit is $437,000 for single-family homes, so this affects the most crucial segment of the Charlottesville real estate market.

More:

- Upcoming Changes to FHA Home Loan Guidelines = Higher Costs to Home Buyers
- FHA Changes Make FHA Loans More Expensive
- FHA Guidelines Scheduled to change this Spring and Summer

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Do better schools increase house prices? From my perspective as a Realtor in the Charlottesville area, the answer is yes. I have never had buyers tell me that they wanted to live in a bad school district; but virtually every single one – whether they have kids or not – wants to be in a good school district. Frankly, I don’t need metrics or analysis or data to support my conclusion; I know that people buying homes in Charlottesville and Albemarle want good schools.

All the data in the world isn’t going to change my opinion, either as a Realtor or as a parent, that good, quality schools matter – to our kids and to our housing values.

From The Impact of School Characteristics on House Prices: Chicago 1987-1991

For many people, an important consideration when buying a house is the quality of the local public schools. There is a general perception that, all else equal, houses in better school districts will cost more.
…

Our results indicate that individuals pay attention to both per-pupil expenditures and test scores when deciding where to locate. However, when purchasing a home, individuals do appear to consider the current test performance of students in the local school rather than the extent to which a community’s schools contribute to a cohort’s test performance.

So what? What happens to Albemarle County home values if:

1 – Albemarle County schools cannot trim the fat sufficiently and
2 – They have to make so many dramatic cuts?

This is an email sent by the Albemarle County Parents’ Council with five attachments that will help you get acclimated … before the public hearing tonight at 6:30.

Brian Wheeler has presented a post with hard numbers – numbers that put into context what an increase in property taxes would mean for you – something that has been mostly lacking from most discussions I have read.

The Albemarle County Public Schools budget is now facing catastrophic cuts if we do not find new sources of revenue. This is the result of the national economy, declining sales taxes, declining property values, a proposal to lower taxes collected in Albemarle, and significant state funding cuts for education.

… In an effort to get my head around the numbers, I have prepared the attached spreadsheet which evaluates (to the best of my ability with the data available), the impact of the different budget scenarios and what different property tax rate increases necessary to close the funding gap.

• http://www.wheeleronboard.com/docs/20100214-analysis-wheeler.pdf (Acrobat PDF); or

• http://www.wheeleronboard.com/docs/20100214-analysis-wheeler.xls (Excel spreadsheet)

If you download the Excel spreadsheet, you can even plug in your own home assessments from 2009 and 2010 to measure the personal impact of adjusting the tax rate. At this point in the process, I don’t like trying to address a budget challenge by manipulating the tax rate, but I think the public deserves some factual information about the different scenarios and how that might impact their personal pocketbooks. At this point, the burden has been put on local government and it has few revenue tools at its disposal. We all need to understand the cost-benefit of the status quo, the current tax rate, which in reality is a tax reduction.

…

In the analysis I have provided, here is the bottom line for the median household (2009 sales price) in Albemarle.

• With the worst case state funding scenario (new reductions of $9 million), a property tax rate of 86.5 cents would fund Dr. Moran’s budget with only Tier 1 cuts implemented. That rate would increase ANNUAL tax payments by $272.08 for the median priced home when compared to 2009.

• In the best case state funding scenario, a property tax rate of 81.9 cents would balance the budget and increase ANNUAL tax payments by $146.19 for the median priced home when compared to 2009.

This discussion at the Daily Progress was pretty informative.

* Thank you to Deedstreet for pointing me to the below-referenced study.

The quality of local public schools is widely believed to be a key determinant of housing prices.1 However, the strength of the consensus is puzzling, given the formidable empirical challenges facing any homeowner or empirical researcher seeking to answer the question carefully.2 First, good schools usually come bundled with other neighborhood qualities– such as proximity to employment, shopping and recreational conveniences and neighborhood peers. Because the homebuyers who enjoy (and can afford) such amenities tend to congregate together, it is difficult to isolate the effect of schools from the effect of these other traits that accompany good schools. Second, it is difficult to disentangle the valuation of the schools themselves (school facilities, curriculum, teachers and principals) from the valuation of the quality of peers available at the school. Common measures of school quality (such as test scores) typically reflect both the quality of the education being offered and the characteristics of the incoming students.3 It is unclear whether homebuyers are paying for quality schools or quality classmates
for their children.

Google Rocks.

Personally, I’d feel a lot better about all of this if I trusted the government. (I’m surprised you made it to the bottom of the post)

Cross-posted at RealCrozetVA.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

This is an absolute must-watch video.

Charlottesville folks – What are the best local food options you have found/used?

Search for local food options in Albemarle at Buy Fresh Buy Local; Search for local food options in Charlottesville.

Personally, I like reading the Green Scene blog at C-Ville.

Some options to learn about eating and cooking in Charlottesville:

- The Food Geek
- Notes from C-ville
- Bella Eats
- Charlottesville’s Local Food Hub
- Charlottesville Blogs’ Food and Farming category
- Life in Sugar Hollow

Update 7 March 2010: I was in Café Milano (closing soon unfortunately) and saw a flyer for C’Ville FoodScapes -

We believe that if more people knew the simple joys of plucking a perfect, vine-ripened tomato, or of pulling up a beautiful orange carrot out of the earth, more people would garden. But in our fast paced lives, we seldom have the time to devote to planning and maintaining a garden, and these moments of happiness never come to pass.

We believe that in a world where we are acutely aware of the impact we are having on our environment, growing some portion of our own food is the responsible decision. How much longer can we afford – financially and environmentally – to ship fruits and vegetables around the globe when we could take action into our own hands? We all need to start thinking globally by acting locally: and you can’t get much more local than your own backyard.

We believe that fresh, wholesome, healthy food is a right, not a privilege that varies by race or income level. That is why we set up our Garden Grant program. We want to ensure that those who are less fortunate than ourselves do not continue to be marginalized and forgotten. What good is being progressive if it does not help everyone progress?

We believe that businesses function optimally when they are owned by those who work for them – we take pride in and responsibility for that which we can call our own. C’ville Foodscapes strives to serve as a representative for cooperatively run, worker-owned enterprises everywhere. Membership is voluntary, and each member has equal say in the decision-making process.

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Why do I aggregate my Tweets every week? Simple. I do spend a little bit of time doing these, so I’d like to have my content on my site. Simple.

• Prepping to show property, then meet some great clients. And *then* dinner with my wife. #
• Picking up cakes for small one’s birthday party. Chandler’s bakery *rocks* – seems great bakeries are in short supply. #
• @jjhutley don’t get stuck! in reply to jjhutley #
• Interesting post on walkability & grocery http://bit.ly/apo4nh cc: @mrlerner #
• Surviving a Power Outage with Sanity Intact? | Bookmark this, stock up and be prepared http://post.ly/NYCN #
• Today has been a day where, if complaining would accomplish anything, I’d be doing a lot of it. #
• Try as I might, I just don’t care about the Olympics. #
• Thanks for the #ff folks! #
• Everyone’s ok. Waiting on the police report. I feel bad for the kid. Luckily as a Realtor I have a flexible schedule. thanks everyone. #
• Even better, he’s uninsured. #
• Just got rear ended #
• I’m at Nest Real Estate Group (126 Garrett St, Suite E, 2nd Street, Charlottesville). http://4sq.com/6aeWJG #
• @mortgagereports Of course Roubini gets challenged. He’s been mostly right & that’s a scary proposition. in reply to mortgagereports #
• @tomperriello Thoughts on this? http://bit.ly/bOaCYu #
• Feds push for tracking cell phones | Politics and Law – CNET News http://post.ly/NMxU #
• If you want to “save” the Crozet Library – http://bit.ly/dv154s #
• I’d like 4 more hours added between 10 and 3 today. #
• @brownautogal Yep. I won. Matched all three. If I didn’t win, it was extraordinarily deceptive advertising. in reply to brownautogal #
• @brownautogal I did. I was inquiring about my having won $25k from Brown’s contest. in reply to brownautogal #
• I know this: when potholes proliferate in the #Cville area this year, we’re going to miss the snow-packed roads #
• Listing Broker Sued for Second Hand Smoke – Part II http://post.ly/NJex #
• Real Estate Broker Sued for secondhand smoke – Part I http://post.ly/NJd4 #
• @tomperriello I’d love your thoughts on this IndyMac “sweatheart deal” by “our” government - http://bit.ly/b6ExfX #
• RT @mrlerner: Even more animations of streets becoming more walkable: http://bit.ly/9HqhnE I just can’t get (cont) http://tl.gd/89moa #
• RT @steinarknutsen: Yet again, NBC’s Olympics strategy is a Web loser http://ff.im/-fK0uG [the Olympics just became far less relevant to me] #
• RT @hanchettjim: New potential budget “catastrophe” threatens Albemarle schools. Parent Council leader speaks out on 19 News Nightcast #
• @TessOrtega I repeat my call for canceling this week, school during Spring Break and the first 3 weeks of June. in reply to TessOrtega #
• @TessOrtega I really wish they’d just admit/decide that schools will be closed Friday , too. in reply to TessOrtega #
• Thank you Josh Davis for closing Albemarle County Schools tomorrow. #
• RT @mattdollinger: Interesting article from WSJ Dev. Blog – FHA Loan Defaults Surpass 9% – Developments – WSJ http://ow.ly/15ZMw #
• RT @zappos: “We think of our future as anticipated memories.” -Daniel Kahneman #TED #
• Please Google, Bring Fiber to Charlottesville | Tell the Albemarle County BoS & City Council http://post.ly/NADC #
• RT @MaggieMcCoy: Yes please! RT @sajego: Dear Charlottesville municipalities – sign up for Google Broadband! http://bit.ly/c0sJJY #
• Finding that w/ each new social network that gains traction, I am more selective in who is my “friend” #
• @cloudbrain I don’t know; done well I think there’s potential. But it’s easily abused. in reply to cloudbrain #
• RT @billlublin: RT @gahlord: Still wondering if FourSquare is important for local business? http://j.mp/bikxdD [good work @e_to_the_m] #
• It’s a freaking wind-storm in Crozet right now. Very hard to see outside from the blowing snow #
• Empty gym. Woo-hoo! (@ anytime fitness crozet) http://4sq.com/73kc7k #
• Seriously, Albemarle County Schools? Do you *really* think we’re going to have school tomorrow? #cville #
• It’s one thing when I choose to waste my time. It’s an entirely different matter when others make that choice for me. Angry. #
• Feeling cheated by no snow today. #
• RT @natfriedman: I wrote a new blog post: http://bit.ly/c4CAnD [Outstanding] #
• RT @ProfessionalOne: 60 Minutes until #RTB on the Radio Begins:: Please call 347.838.8849 to join the conversation!:: http://budurl.com/e8mu #
• Um … @CBS19Weather Where’s the snow??? #
• Showing a cold, vacant, sad foreclosed house. #
• Really, really wish I’d written an article about #RTB radio http://bit.ly/cgat0J for @agentgenius Will do so next week. #
• Price for Single Family vs. Condo Properties in VA-Charlottesville MSA http://post.ly/Mx5g #
• @TeriLussier @agent21 Agreed. But – I’d gladly pay 3x what we’re paying now. #RTB in reply to TeriLussier #
• @tcar 2pm eastern it is. I may be “leadership” but I’m not Leadership. in reply to tcar #
• There’s More to the Real Estate Market than Headlines http://post.ly/MxLu #
• Snow! In Crozet at least. #
• @raelinn_wine main roads in Charlottesville have been fine; unknown what this afternoon is going to bring though. #cville in reply to raelinn_wine #
• RT @BLarsonMpls: Michael Bloomberg: “In God we trust. Everyone else, bring data.” (via NYTimes) #
• @ProfessionalOne I’m thinking we should invite NAR Leadership to today’s #RTB discussion http://bit.ly/cgat0J cc: @tcar #
• I’m proposing the homebuyer tax credit be extended to June; buyers just aren’t looking at houses in this snow. #
• 4-8” of snow today in Charlottesville? Sweet. #
• Early morning of final prepping for tomorrow’s #RTB conversation. http://bit.ly/cgat0J #
• As Seen on Leno – Room to Grow Marijuana http://post.ly/MtAw #
• RT @mrg7175: Power on! [congrats!] #
• @amywebb Kid got a text from someone saying Albemarle County schools are canceled. … in reply to amywebb #
• No drought this year in Charlottesville. #anothergoodthingaboutalltheSnow #
• RT @JonathanK: Nest Realty Announces the Acquisition of Summit Realty! http://bit.ly/b9H1Gr #
• @amywebb Besides, Obama agrees. http://bit.ly/dCdqkL in reply to amywebb #
• @amywebb yeah, God forbid we think about education of our kids first. I’d like to see year-round schooling. /snark in reply to amywebb #
• @amywebb I like my idea of closing this week, canceling Spring Break and having school throughout June in reply to amywebb #
• @TobyBoyce @mortgagereports @PhxREguy No. Leave Goonies alone. in reply to TobyBoyce #
• Getting ready to announce something that will highlight Nest’s ascension in the Charlottesville Realtor community. #
• RT @carolineemerson: RT @CBS19: The @Quadruplicity conference has been rescheduled for March 25. [smart] #
• @CogitoErgoBibo Agreed. I think they should cancel this week, cancel Spring Break & go to the 3rd week of June. in reply to CogitoErgoBibo #
• @rvabusiness @JimDuncan @sashafarmer @KSiddall I’m thinking #cville in reply to rvabusiness #
• What are the chances that Albemarle County schools will be open? #
• @CBS19Weather Woo-hoo! More snow! in reply to CBS19Weather #
• @CBS19Weather Think we’ll get at least 6 inches? (how ‘bout 12?) in reply to CBS19Weather #
• Bodo’s has gift cards!? http://post.ly/Mp0O #
• @okaypaul I’ve written Greenberry’s off because of their poor quality wireless. Otoh, I saw 5 people I knew there in 40 minutes last week in reply to okaypaul #
• I don’t see this “Energy Star” tax credit gaining widespread acceptance in Virginia http://post.ly/Mmi8 #
• If I were in the market for a car, I’d still buy a Toyota over GM. On principle alone. #
• @kvbuckley WP & my blog editor were having a battle. Both lost & so did I. Darn it in reply to kvbuckley #
• Just lost a post I’ve been slaving over for well over a week. Dammit. #
• RT @Robert_Bork_Jr: Audi Green Police ad is too close to reality [no, give it 2 years] #
• RT @mikewhenderson: Usually the govt tries to hide wasteful spending in an obscure earmark. Tonight they wasted (cont) http://tl.gd/7loom #
• RT @doverbEy: Simple and succinct storytelling from Google. Nice. /via @TinaHui #
• RT @DRPnet: Roads in and around Charlottesville are better now than they were 4 days after #snOMG 1. Kudos to #VDOT #
• Showing property in Cville today; there is a remarkable amount of tree damage, trees on power lines, etc. #
• “There are houses we might have bought if they’d had more than 4 pictures. We just discarded them.” ~ my buyer clients #
• Showing a house to clients who contracted to purchase it solely from videos I took for them. Listening to good feedback & learning #
• Roads in Crozet are mostly clear and fine. It’s as if we know that snow is just that- snow. #
• @ProfessionalOne @AndreaRealtor Further, #RPR #039;s market will lower NAR’s push for increased standards. More members=greater revenue. in reply to ProfessionalOne #
• Sweet. on #MTP this morning, Paulson just stated “the recession IS over.” Yeah, thanksforthat. Maybe for his protected echelon #
• RT @AndreaRealtor: @ProfessionalOne Do you think #RPR is ameans for NAR to try and gain relevance to its members? [yep] #
• Eminently pleased that we have not lost power or cell service. Thank you, #VZW & #comcast #crozet #
• @Mike - I disagree; many consumers do a pretty good job of sorting out the bums, but a lot of consumers don’t have… http://post.ly/MV78 #
• @ProfessionalOne Something will come of it when we have infiltrated NAR leadership. & by that time I’m concerned that “we” won’t care in reply to ProfessionalOne #

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Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

I hadn’t. Huge thanks to Waldo for getting the Revenue Sharing Agreement. You can download it at Scribd.

The revenue sharing agreement between Albemarle and Charlottesville is a pointed point of consternation and disagreement and highlights the political (dysfunctional) relationship between the two Governments. This agreement and the relationship between the governments matter. To home buyers, sellers, residents (and Residents) – so many services are separate, but so many are and are perceived to be shared. Schools are clearly separate. (Albemarle – Charlottesville) Everything else is seemingly a matter of branding.

Tons of “ink” have been written recently about this agreement.*

Three of my favorite starting points are:

- Jennifer’s Revenue Sharing Agreement

- CVillePedia

- Revenue Sharing Agreement debated again

But have you actually read the agreement?

Inlookers, Charlottesville is surrounded by Albemarle, and to most people who don’t live in CharlAlbemarle, they are one and the same.

Charlottesville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a population of 40,745^[1]. It is home to the University of Virginia which provides another 9,000 part-time residents. Charlottesville is located on 10.4 square miles of land and is completely surrounded by Albemarle County. Charlottesville is also the County seat, though it is an independent city with a separate government.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the two jurisdictions as one of 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the nation. Its 2005 population of 188,016 ranked 212th in the nation^[2]. The MSA also includes Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson Counties.

* Google News Search by location is pretty nifty. Have a look at their sorta-accurate historical timeline of the revenue sharing agreement .

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

First Wednesdays wants to hear from you.

If you are part of an internet company, design / development firm or startup project in Charlottesville, we’d love to hear from you. The goal of First Wednesdays is to grow the internet / startup community in town by highlighting companies and hosting networking events. Help us find you!

The Charlottesville is consistently rated as a great place to live, and is a destination location for buyers and families and people who choose to live in Charlottesville* and work elsewhere – whether in Los Angeles, Denver, New York … and live in Charlottesville.

I’m curious to learn just how many internet and tech firms there are in the Charlottesville area. HighTech Cville, which seems to be a site by OpenSource Connections, lists 405 organizations in Charlottesville.

* Usually Charlottesville/Albemarle.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Alerted by a Tweet from @sajego:

Dear Charlottesville municipalities – sign up for Google Broadband! http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

I read on …

Google is planning to launch an experiment that we hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. We plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Our networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We’ll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

From now until March 26th, we’re asking interested municipalities to provide us with information about their communities through a Request for information (RFI), which we’ll use to determine where to build our network.

Google goes big. Nearly every single time … but will they bring fiber to Charlottesville?

Update 23 February 2010: It seems that UVA, Albemarle and Charlottesville can cooperate.

Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the University of Virginia are considering making a joint application for a pilot program that would install fiber-optic cable allowing for broadband speeds up to 100 times faster than what the community currently enjoys.

Update 24 February 2010: Charlottesville City Councilor Dave Norris is asking for the public’s help in getting Google’s attention.

More at the Wall Street Journal

From TechCrunch:

Google owns its own vast network of dark fiber around the globe to connect its data centers, speed up search, and lower its cost of streaming billions of videos a month on YouTube. With this project, Google is taking its first step in connecting that fiber backbone to consumer’s homes. It is not clear what Google services will come with a broadband subscription, but it is a safe bet that Google will be the default search and Gmail will be the default email. Maybe they can throw in Google Voice service and an Android phone that lets you talk over WiFi.

Charlottesville has been consistently rated as a top “Digital City” and while I think it’s a bit of a silly designation, why don’t we capitalize and leverage this?

For the sixth year in a row, the Center for Digital Government has ranked the City of Charlottesville as one of the Top Ten Digital Cities in America.

So what say you, Charlottesville and Albemarle governments??? This is something on which you really, really, really should collaborate and cooperate.

Tell the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the City of Charlottesville City Council your thoughts.

From Google:

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Edit: Bumped to the top because I really don’t want anyone to miss this analysis.

This is going to be a developing post as I read through Barry Merchant’s presentation from this morning.

Barry Merchant’s VHDA presentation at Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (PDF)

Here is a podcast of Mr. Merchant’s presentation.

Additionally,

Here is an advance copy of the Nest Report, what we believe to be the best, most “comprehensive and transparent analysis of the residential real estate market in Charlottesville, Albemarle and surrounding counties, prepared quarterly by Nest Realty Group.”

Nest Report – Year End 2009, Predictions for 2010 (PDF)

I’ll jump to the conclusion of the Nest Report for you:

2010 will be about the national market and not just local stories. Unemployment will drive foreclosures and excess supply. Interest rates will control limiting demand. If unemployment and interest rates converge, price drops are not just possible, they are guaranteed. If, however, unemployment can stay stable and interest rates are affected, but only modestly, we could see a continuation of the recovery that we saw in the 3rd and 4th quarter. The weather in January and early February is certainly going to decrease the number of closings, as there have been few days in which buyers have been able to shop without weather being a factor.

All in all, we believe that compared to the rest of the US, the Charlottesville market has fared relatively well. However, prices are down and will continue to fall. Sellers that are attempting to chase the falling market with small listing price adjustments are unlikely to find buyers at prices they are hoping for. For sellers, pricing the home competitively may not be enough. Sellers may need to move to prices that drive multiple offers in order to close in on one.

For buyers, interest rates are going to rise. Now is a good time for those with long time horizons. While prices will continue to fall, the ownership costs may not. Buyers need to consider monthly mortgage payments along with principal reduction though payments as part of their equation. Buyers may find that even if prices fall 7-9% more, that buying today could make better financial sense in the long run.

If you would like a printed copy, please email or call me and I will be happy to put one in the mail. Or, stop by Nest Realty Group – we’re just off the Downtown Mall in the “Warehouse District.”

Comments, feedback and input welcomed.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

We’re growing quality, not necessarily quantity.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (Feb. 8, 2010) – Charlottesville-based Nest Realty Group today announced its acquisition of Summit Realty Company. The move combines two of Charlottesville’s most successful real estate firms and expands the 1-year-old Nest Realty team to 14 full-time real estate professionals. It also paves the way for Nest to expand its services from a primary focus on residential real estate into commercial real estate and leasing.

…

In addition to a strong focus on technology and innovation, Nest Realty agents are held to a higher standard. All agents must have a minimum of three years experience, practice real estate full-time and earn their Broker’s license shortly after joining the firm. With almost $4.7 million in sales per agent and 13.75 transactions per agent, Nest Realty agents more than doubled the production for the average Charlottesville Realtor in 2009.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

For anyone interested in a prime example of the City of Charlottesville’s and County of Albemarle’s occasionally dysfunctional relationship, Rachana Dixit and Brandon Shulleeta have great story in today’s Daily Progress.

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. I know these explanations trivialize the importance of the Charlottesville/Albemarle relationship and doesn’t give credit for the many places in which they do cooperate, but they are still applicable analogies.

The clash over money between Charlottesville and Albemarle County is turning into a political civil war, with warnings that each step from here will undermine collaborations that would cut expenses and instead possibly cost taxpayers big bucks down the road.
…
Historically, revenue-sharing payments have ballooned. The first payment was for $1.29 million, and in the current budget, Charlottesville received more than $18 million, bringing the total payment amount to $160.8 million since the agreement went into effect in 1982.

Many county officials say it’s unfair that a state formula that determines education funding for localities — based largely on localities’ wealth — fails to account for the revenue-sharing agreement. Bell’s amendment proposal would count the money Albemarle pays Charlottesville toward the city’s wealth instead of the county’s wealth — which would increase state education funding for Albemarle in fiscal 2012 by $2.6 million and decrease Charlottesville’s state education funding by that same amount.

…
Albemarle School Board member Brian Wheeler said he thinks it is unlikely Bell’s amendment will pass and that the legislation could instead increase bad blood between the two localities.

How does this affect buyers, sellers, homeowners, renters in the CharlAlbemarle area? Taxes and duplication of services = Money and inefficiencies. There are also cultural and political differences between the two localities that extend far beyond simple monetary conflicts.

For example:

In 2009, The City of Charlottesville voted 74% for Creigh Deeds and the County of Albemarle voted 49% for Mr. Deeds.
In 2008, The City of Charlottesville voted 78% for Barrack Obama and the County of Albemarle voted 58% for Mr. Obama.

If you’re interested in the annexation discussion, start at Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCentralVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

• RT @G2Architecture:first analysis shows a 17% return on investment for #green insulation upgrades at my house-was hoping for 30%,but not bad #
• Night sledding. Woot. (Yeah, I’m still a child) #
• @bob_wilson You mean, there’s more to it than that? in reply to bob_wilson #
• RT @outskirts: we need more snow. local schools may get to open this week. #falsesnowmaggedon #
• I think I’ll wait until about 3 to go sledding. Hopefully things will be a bit more iced-over; then we’ll go *super*-fast! #
• @ProfessionalOne #RTB has to be staged w/ levels – I see the parallel as evidence of futility, rather than specifically against. #
• An argument against #RTB cc: @robhahn @professionalone @mayareguru http://post.ly/MV78 #
• RT @bfinnegan: I heard that if the power goes out, panicking keeps you warm. #
• Showing today delayed until tomorrow. #
• Quite disappointed that we got only ~10 inches of snow. #
• Correction: heavy sleet. @CBS19Weather That we haven’t lost power yet is remarkable. I want snow! #
• Sounds like some real driving sleet out there. @CBS19Weather #
• Power just flickered. #
• Seeking Chainsaw-Wielding Citizens in Charlottesville and Albemarle http://post.ly/MOU2 #
• @jsheehan200 We do; ultimately eliminating single-agent dual agency is the goal. Designated must be an option. in reply to jsheehan200 #
• @mattrathbun I’ve been told – many times – by consumers & clients that they perceive Nest to “get it”. in reply to mattrathbun #
• @rsajja also – http://bit.ly/cuZFi in reply to rsajja #
• @benjaminbach @mattrathbun @PhxREguy Agreed that there can be and are differences, but do consumers recognize this difference? in reply to benjaminbach #
• @rsajja @PhxREguy http://bit.ly/cFDuiV Standards, ideals, goals, focus on clients in reply to rsajja #
• @mattrathbun @PhxREguy @SarahStelmok question is – do consumers recognize differences? in reply to mattrathbun #
• @PhxREguy Agreed. Big brands (so far) have proven homogeneity is the rule. Setting is standards is bold & recognized. in reply to PhxREguy #
• @karenstl @PhxREguy Ha! We’ve given clients our signs. http://bit.ly/9G1RZU in reply to karenstl #
• @PhxREguy @ProfessionalOne I’m starting to disagree; if the brand is *great* consumers care. (we’re seeing this @nestrealty) in reply to PhxREguy #
• I’m thinking we’ll lose power http://post.ly/MNyF #
• @ProfessionalOne @phxreguy agents may, but do consumers care? in reply to ProfessionalOne #
• RT @dougfrancis: @DocuSign what about a t-shirt? [Shameless. (Me too!)] #
• RT @DailyProgress: Getting info from the scanner and reporters that trees are starting to break under the snow load. #
• Off to the gym. #
• And that’s the thing with the #RTB conversation. I’m too busy working with & for clients; carrying forward the #RTB is a full-time job #
• Possible good news. The foreclosure has allegedly been delayed. Persistence pays off. #
• @randomclapper 2 inches so far, expecting (and I’m hoping for) an additional 26! in reply to randomclapper #
• On hold now with what seems to be a useful person interested in helping; unfortunately the hold music is apparently from a 70’s porn #
• Talking with a loan/debt servicer, trying to convince them that letting us close is better for everyone than foreclosing. #
• Roads in Crozet are slushy; driving slowly is recommended. #
• Have some Perspective- Snowmageddon (aka snOMG) is Upon Us at cvillenews.com http://post.ly/MKao #
• For some fun, go to Google and type in “why ” and see what Google suggests … #
• Dropped off two relo packages in the mail, prepping for an #RTB conversation, hoping to show a house at 11:30. #
• RT @MudhouseCrozet: Crozet Hardware just received a shipment of snow shovels… get them while they’re still there! #
• So long as I don’t lose internet during this storm. Or cell service, all will be well. Talking to you, Verizon & Comcast #
• The Harris Teeter feels like the Food Lion at Duck on Saturday afternoon. And all I want is beer. #
• RT @sumidiot: gotta admit, i’m a little confused about declaring an emergency before anything actually happens. #
• You want Charlottesville real estate data? I’ve got Charlottesville real estate data. http://bit.ly/94zsDS #
• @ProfessionalOne @MayaREGuru @JimDuncan @toddwaller Really looking forward to it! in reply to ProfessionalOne #
• @Caartweet How can a “member only” twitter account be unprotected? #
• RT @TobyBoyce: I don’t care if you are fighting with your wife or other real estate agents. http://bit.ly/98TiOV [fixed the "agents"] #
• RT @jmckeever: Congratulations!! RT @chadratliff: Just found out I was accepted to attend TEDxNYED http://bit.ly/aKsx0C [wow!] #
• Want a copy of the Nest Report? DM me. @NestRealty just put the finishing touches on the report. #
• RT @JBern: The drama surrounding NAR and @tcar is getting annoying. That is all. [#matters ] #
• Re: #snowpocalypse in Charlottesville: this is a once-in-a-lifetime winter. Let’s make sure we (and our kids) enjoy it! #
• RT @BradOwens: From the NWS: Total accumulation of 16-24″ 6am Friday till 10PM Saturday !!! http://bit.ly/dkLUUr #Snowmageddon #
• Photos done for one new listing in Crozet, arriving at 2nd new listing now. #
• RT @DailyProgress: Can we stick with the tried and tested #snowpocalypse ? Or do we have to think of some new clever bit? [Snowpocalypse2] #
• Just got some excellent feedback from a friend, for which I am grateful. #
• @CBS19Weather did I hear you say more snow on Tuesday? in reply to CBS19Weather #
• My Verizon blackberry has been on 1xev for the past several hours. No email. Meh. #
• RT @newmediajim: RT @steverubel Go Big, Get Your Employees on the Bus or Go Home http://post.ly/LzrH #
• RT @Rick_Sincere: RT @FoundingLegacy: “If government has no favors to sell, no one will spend money trying to win them.” — John Stossel #
• Learning history of Agency before we may try to change it (@ Virginia Association of REALTORS) http://4sq.com/7NVbtS #
• @stevewhitaker I like rumors, but our region panics enough at prospect of 3 inches, much less 40.I figured asking the source was responsible in reply to stevewhitaker #
• @jcunwired @stevewhitaker @NBC29 re: 40 inches – see statement from VDOT on http:g/realcentralva.com in reply to jcunwired #
• Now, off to Richmond. Will address @stevewhitaker later. #
• @stevewhitaker Callously it’s impossible to serve *everyone*. Sometimes focusing on “vast majority” is called for in reply to stevewhitaker #
• RT @DRPnet: I’m proposing a snow plan for schools-buses only run on main corridors & parents have to get kids to snow bus stops or 2 school. #
• Prepping to go to Richmond for a meeting to discuss Agency. #
• VDOT says “Any story that we are “expecting” 40-50 inches of snow is incorrect.” http://bit.ly/dbGeM9 – But when will we have school again? #
• @sajego @kelkel926 @hull darn seesmic (me, really). My two personalities are overlapping. in reply to sajego #
• Off to the gym. #
• Albemarle County Schools closed tomorrow. I know. You’re shocked. #
• Hey @511northwestva All the rumors I hear of snow coming in excess of 20 inches start with “VDOT says ..” – how much snow are you expecting? #
• RT @DailyProgress: Conflict grows over planned Crozet gas station: … http://bit.ly/dcQ3up #
• Off to see a new, potential listing in Crozet #
• Sirens in Crozet. Apparently there’s already a wreck. Be safe, people. #
• That I actually need milk is unfortunate. At least I’ll be able to witness the snowpanic first-hand. snOMG #cville #
• RT @JimBain1: Who in Charlottesville is selling snow shovels? #crowdsource #
• RT @cvillenewscom: @Smallchic For bonus points, both of you should race down the aisles, riding the carts, screaming like muppets. #
• It’s snowing in Downtown Charlottesville. #
• RT @rprav8r: Ack! It just started snowing in Crozet. Just a teensy bit. #
• RT @rprav8r: Ack! It just started snowing in Crozet. Just a teensy bit. [yay!] #
• RT @CBS19Weather: Coming up in a few minutes: what do the computer models say about this weekend? (tk) [well??] #
• Remarkably frustrated. With things that are out of my control. #
• Sitting in the living room of my newest listing ((Crozet, 22932)) http://post.ly/LoiW #
• RT @tomperriello:We can’t let China win the clean energy market.USA can do it better and we need those jobs here. http://tinyurl.com/yac6pfc #
• 40 inches of snow this weekend in Charlottesville. I heard it on Twitter, so it must be true. http://bit.ly/bDtI2Y cc: @amywebb #
• Speed trap on 250 bypass. Westbound at McIntire Park. #cville #
• RT @johnmijac: Duplicity in mother-of-all mortgage walkaways – Real estate- msnbc.com http://ow.ly/12W2F [but homeowners should stay?!] #
• @k12albemarle: CBS19 on how Albemarle Co. decides whether to close school. Reporter follows road assessment team: http://bit.ly/97IF54 #
• RT @cvilletomorrow: City Council sets goal of getting 15% of Charlottesville’s home as ‘affordable’ by (cont) http://tl.gd/6h28n #
• #atthegym Woot. #
• @CBS19Weather I’m hearing rumours of a foot of snow this weekend. Truth? (‘cuz I say, WOOO-HOOO!) in reply to CBS19Weather #
• Putting in another listing. Think I’ll write a blog post about my 3 newest listings. All have woodstoves. #
• My house’s assessment in Albemarle County went down nearly 10%; what about yours? http://gisweb.albemarle.org/ #
• RT @chadratliff: RT @k12albemarle: All Albemarle County Schools closed Tuesday 2/2/10 due to road conditions. #
• @robhahn You can’t defame people on the internets. They’re just <i>blogs</i> afterall. in reply to robhahn #
• Kid just got a text message; Albemarle County schools are closed tomorrow. #
• Talking to someone about @Diversesolution – telling him how much I love them. #
• Pole hit by Dominion Power http://post.ly/LeI3 #
• Thanks, USPS. You have now lost 3 relocation packages I have sent out. You’ve cost me money. Goodbye. #
• I’m Not Sure what “Speak Up for our Schools” means yet http://post.ly/Ldvk #
• I’ll be shocked if Albemarle have school tomorrow http://post.ly/Ld6R #
• Apparently, plowing mostly stopped at Owensville Road on Garth. #
• An excellent question begging clarification re: proposed Yancey Business Park in Crozet http://ow.ly/1263w #
• On the ethics of “strategic default”… | VARbuzz http://post.ly/LYIY #
• Seriously, what would it take to make USPS deliver only 3 days a week? #
• @bradcoy @bnix Knowing when & how to engage is key. Knowing when to listen is important as well. in reply to bradcoy #
• RT @bradcoy: @bnix re: avoidance not being easy. SO true yet *disengaging* is not talked about as a value. It’s important. #
• RT @tcar: Oh, except it’s awaiting moderation. Here’s a screenshot. http://yfrog.com/3lt2ap #
• Yep. Albemarle County Schools closed tomorrow. Shocking. #
• Dominion Power hit one of their own poles at Park and High in Crozet. #
• What are the chances of Albemarle County schools being open tomorrow? I say 10%. #
• RT @bradcoy: avoiding the suck of the re.net to focus on what’s more meaningful on Sunday. my business. [A MEN.] #
• @robhahn Constructive criticism is key. Public or private. Present solutions rather than merely bitch in reply to robhahn #
• RT @calculatedrisk: TARP Inspector General: Government Programs “risk re-inflating that bubble” http://bit.ly/9vcR3I [who knew?] #

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