These are a few of the ideas that may come up …

If you have suggestions, please feel free to suggest them here, on Twitter, G+, Facebook …- Albemarle County real estate assessments are out … what did your house’s assessment do?
- @JimDuncan the disparity between assessments (higher) and selling price (lower)? When and why that happens.
- Seller tips on preparing your home for the spring market.
- getting sellers to understand where prices are
- Overview of numbers – transactions and prices this year versus last year
- Foreclosures and short sales’ impact
- Interest rates’ irrelevance
- The National Association of Realtors’ revisions
- Consumer confidence and expectations
- People choosing to stay put longer

Looking forward:

- When will we bottom? (not for a while)
- gas prices’ impact on housing trends
- What is next year going to look like?
- Peoples’ timelines for buying or selling (start now)

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

With that preface, come to the Seeing Green: Savvy Solutions for your Business and Your Community workshop tomorrow at City Space (press release after the jump); I’ll be on the panel – “Been There, done that, have the results to prove it!” at 10:45 discussing some of the ways that I and Nest Realty have chosen to go green for green reasons as much as economic reasons.

Some of the ways I’ve “gone green”:

- Biking wherever I can

- iPad – less print, more information

- Working from home (more than ever before)

- More video

- More efficient route planning for showings – avoiding traffic, left turns, etc

- Advising clients on green decision-making and prioritization

- Advising clients to drive by properties first

- Docusign (perhaps the single greatest thing ever)

And quite a few more tips specific to real estate. I’m looking forward to the thinking and reflection I’ll be forced to do to prepare for my 10-minute spiel.

* Photo courtesy of Will Clayton

Seeing Green – Charlottesville Workshop

SEEING GREEN:Savvy Solutions for Your Business and Your Community
Thursday, June 23
9 am – 12 pm

Networking: 8:30-9am

Introductions and overview of workshop: 9:00-9:20
Welcome

Nora Gillespie, Director, CV Small Business Development Center

Opening Comments/Welcome from City and County
Hollie Lee, Economic Development Specialist, Office of Economic Development, City of Charlottesville

Lee Catlin, Assistant to the County Executive for Community and Business Partnerships

Overview
9:20-9:50
Cynthia Adams, Executive Director, Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Going “green” is more than a great marketing line – sustainable business practices increase efficiency, productivity, savings, and consumer interest.

“Energy 101: Bills, Benchmarking, and Your Bottom Line”
9:50-10:15
Bob Thompson, Director of Sales, ColonialWebb Contractors
Do you know if you are paying too much for your heating and cooling costs? How to find out and what to do about it.

Break 10:15-10:30

“How to Afford the Fix”
10:30-10:45
Michael D. Lyster, Vice President of Business Services, UVa Community Credit Union
Financial resources/assistance – what your options are for rebates, loans, tax credits, and more.

“Been there, done that, have the results to prove it!”
10:45-11:40
Local business owners discuss their choices to implement sustainable business practices: why they did it, what they did,what results they have seen. We invite attendees to share insights from their own experiences and to engage panelists in discussion.

“Charlottesville Better Business Challenge”
11:40-11:55
Teri Kent, Executive Director, Better World Betty/Project Manager,Charlottesville Better Business Challenge
Hear about a new initiative sponsored by Better World Betty, LEAP, the Chamber of Commerce, UVa’s Darden School of Business, and local government to help your business become more sustainable.

Closing comments
Nancy Quirk, Climate Protection Program Coordinator, City of Charlottesville

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

Once again, Matt Hodges I and will be talking with Rick Moore on Sunday’s show at 11am.

What questions do you have? What would you like for us to discuss?

This is the post from the last time we were on the radio in January; looking back, we covered an awful lot of ground – from foreclosures to the nomadic class to the impact DIA and NGIC are having on the market.

This time, I’m thinking:

- Better to Rent versus Own?

- (in)Consistencies in the Charlottesville and national real estate market

-FHA downpayments increasing?

- Higher down payments (I think they’re good)

- Foreclosures

- Why it’s a fantabulouso time to buy or sell

- Data – where we are

- Realtor productivity update

- Who’s buying (and what their motivations are)

- Sociological benefits of a recession

- Backyard gardens and homesteading

- Maybe throw in something about the TSA and #gaterape. Just because.

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

Better yet, WINA has recently entered the modern age and offers live streaming of their shows.

If you have any questions, I’d love to hear them.

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

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

Listen to or download the show at CvillePodcast.

Some of the stories to come: One of the best parts of doing radio shows is that I always generate new ideas to write about.

- Top 10 most popular neighborhoods in the area; I’m finalizing the methodology for how this will be determined, so I won’t promise the publication date.

- An expansion on the nomadic class.

- The internet’s/telecommuting’s impact on attracting people to the Charlottesville area.

Some of the stories and issues we discussed:

- Charlottesville area employment numbers – better than most, but not nearly where they need to be.

- – Where are we now? Real Estate Inventory for Charlottesville MSA (.pdf) and  Inventory 2005-2009 (.pdf)

- The Brighter Outlook – Calculated Risk

- Banks lose key foreclosure ruling in top Massachusetts court

- This is the Ibanez case. At the Big Picture.

- – Foreclosuregate and title issues. Title issues, conveyance of title, property ownership – I think this is going to be a huge story in 2011.

- Mobility – many of today’s potential homeowners are choosing to not buy because they want to have options.

- QE2

- DIA and NGIC – their impact on the Charlottesville real estate market; in short, they they provided a stabilizing force.

- Loan Level Pricing Adjustments – what does this mean to homebuyers? Matt explained it really well. A friend, Dan Green, offers this explanation:

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t get the best “advertised rate”, it’s not because of some elaborate bait-and-switch scheme or something worse. Most likely, your rates have been altered by Loan-Level Pricing Adjustments. And, starting April 1, 2011, LLPAs are going up.

- Today’s buyers – are buying for better sociological reasons, putting down roots, intending to stay for a long time, and this qualifies as a very good thing. I think we will see in 10 years the benefit of this recession.

- I ranted a little bit about Charlottesville/Albemarle infrastructure/transportation/political issues.

Some of the real estate stories and issues I prepped for but we didn’t discuss:

- Foreclosure rate for the Charlottesville MSA

- Majority of Virginians oppose gas-tax increase

- Town hall to discuss Hollymead development area expansion

- Realtors’ response to Mortgage Interest Deduction

- Commentary: Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Tax Deduction Facts

- Facing Scrutiny, Banks Slow Pace of Foreclosures

- Homeownership is not a must. Really.

- FairTax versus the Mortgage Interest Deduction

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

I used to be overwhelmed at the prospect of talking on live radio for an hour; now it almost feels like it’s three hours too short.

What do you want us to talk about? What burning questions do you have?

Tune into WNRN radio at 11 am EST this Sunday. Call in with your questions – 434-979-0919.

A brief outline of what we may talk about:

- Where we are

- Where we may be going

- Trends in the Charlottesville real estate market

- Realtor production/competence

- Legislation that may be affecting the real estate market

- Foreclosures and short sales

- Title insurance issues

- Interest rates’ impact on the Central Virginia real estate market

One of the most daunting parts of an hour of radio is the required prep work that must be done; it’s also one of the most exciting and rewarding part – prepping for at least three-four hours will absolutely, positively ensure that I know more about the local market and will be better able to represent and inform my clients.

As always, the podcast will be posted here.

Update: The podcast of the Charlottesville Real Estate Conversation on WNRN radio is here.

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

Even if you’re not planning to sell your house in Charlottesville or Crozet in the Spring, you might in two years … and the colors this year are really quite wonderful. Take great photos and save them. If you put your house on the market in January or February, you would.

If you are thinking about putting your house on the market in the spring, now is the time to start prepping.

Incidentally, this picture was taken at the entrance to the Grayrock neighborhood in Crozet. And I just happen to have a lovely house on the market there as well. /shamelessplugformyclients

Here’s another thought: If you do think that you might be looking for a Realtor in the spring, start now (I am one). Ask me for recommendations for real estate photographers in Charlottesville. We work with quite a few and I would be happy to recommend some for you. Just ask me.

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

1 – It’s a great note.

2 – It’s a great introduction to a series I’m doing starting tomorrow.

From a recent international client:

We would like to take the time to express our gratitude for your outstanding service in the purchase of our home at [redacted]. In our estimatino, you went above and beyond to assist us with the initiation, execution and completion of the transaction. We presented you with quite a challenge to complete a sale in the midst of a tri-continental relocation. Thank you for your dedication and assistance.
…
In our estimation you have set the bar very high for future real estate transactions with other agents. it was one of the smoothest transactions we have ever experienced. And we look forward to staying in contact for the possibility of working again with you in the future.

My day was made by this note.

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

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 – “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 – “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.

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

Update 28 June 2010: Enormous thanks to Charlottesville Podcasting Network for putting up the podcast so quickly. As promised on-air, I will be putting up show notes by Wednesday.

I think the discussion was a good one … I’ll know more after I listen to it; reflecting back, the question about the Realtor’s role in advising people whether to buy or sell and how difficult it is to advise not to purchase was a good segment.

The following are some of the stories I was (re)reading earlier this week to prep for the show. There are much more … An hour is never enough time.

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

Following up on the Charlottesville Bubble Blog’s noting that foreclosures in the Charlottesville MSA are up:

As expected (I noted in 2009 that foreclosures in Charlottesville would likely increase):

What does this all mean from a market standpoint? Foreclosure activity is likely to increase, but we are nowhere near the foreclosure rates and percentages of the major foreclosure hotspots -parts of Florida, Phoenix, California – which account for a majority of national foreclosures.

Courtesy of RealtyTrac:

Foreclosure Data for Virginia (PDF)

Look at mortgage conditions in Charlottesville at the New York Fed’s map.

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

I’m always astounded when builders manage to actually fix the bajillion pieces together. I’m grateful to have wonderful clients who worked with a great builder to make this happen. This home is truly wonderful, and, after working with these folks for just over a year, seeing them in their new home is enormously gratifying. The spaces inside are comfortable and feel like home.

Located on Mulberry Avenue near Cherry Avenue, another young family is moving in today and have plans to soon add a chicken coop and vegetable garden out back. Perhaps we’ll get to try some fresh eggs? Below are a few photos. Note that there is a stream running through the front yard, so we built a bridge to access the house from the driveway.

(image courtesy of Latitude 38)

Update: This is my clients’ blog of the build process.

This is how it looked in early December:

If you’re curious, this is the newest home that Latitude 38 are building -

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 474440 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

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

I was on Coy Barefoot’s Charlottesville-Right Now! last week and we briefly discussed the Charlottesville real estate market. I anticipated 20 minutes on air, prepped as if I would be on air for three hours, and got 7 minutes. It was fast.

Some of the topics we discussed:

- Foreclosures in Charlottesville’s MSA

- FHA’s increasing limits/guidelines (story coming later this week) and their impact on the real estate market, specifically first-time homebuyers.

- The homebuyer tax credit’s impending expiration – If you’re buying a home, you must have it under contract by 30 April 2010.

- How much time do buyers and sellers have before FHA and homebuyer tax credit hit the market? (not much)

Transcription is after the “fold”. I’ve bolded what I think are the most important parts.

—

Sean: This is an audio archive edition of WINA Charlottesville right now with Coy Barefoot, made available online by the Charlottesville podcasting network, www.cvillepodcast.com Jim Duncan is live in studio, local realtor and blogger. He is with the Nest Realty Company and joins us on occasion for a real estate update. We’ll just change gears here. I wanted you to hear that Gemini. I appreciate you waiting while I could do that because I wanted to share that press conference with people because folks haven’t have a chance yet to hear WINA has been playing extended clips but they haven’t had a chance to hear the entire thing from beginning to end and if we have time again today I’m going to play that again and it will be podcast www.wina.com and www.cvillepodcast.com.

Coy: Just horrible horrible news here isn’t it?

Duncan: Pretty much indescribable.

Coy: Yeah. It’s just tragic and gosh. Well let’s see if we can change gears and talk about the real estate market it we can, the very latest and when it’s going to get better. Are there any signs that all the people who are under water with their mortgages are going to – you’re making a face as if it’s not going to be any time soon.

Duncan: I don’t think so. I think that we are looking at – I think I’ve been saying for three years that we are in a market in transition. I think the transition is just continuing to transition in and of itself. We have the volume of sales in the Charlottesville area are up in some categories dramatically from a percentage wise year over year or actually quarter over quarter, but what we’re seeing is I think that that may be a false indication of what’s going to happen in the next three to five years. In my opinion there’s no way to really track that accurately in our region. I think a lot of that has been driven by the tax credit, the $8,000 tax credit that has been extended two to three times.

Coy: Is that still in place now, that tax credit?

Duncan: It is and the two things that I really wanted to push to people today is that if they do make that considered thoughtful decision to purchase right now. Which it’s never a good time to buy for anybody, but if they do purchase there are two time lines that are really pretty hard that they need to pay attention to. The first is the tax credit expires and you have to be under contract by the end of April of this year to take advantage of that $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and it’s $6,500 for repeat buyers. The second time line is the FHA is getting ready to increase their costs and the FHA is something that a lot of buyers are using right now in the lower price points.

Coy: Are they like closing costs?

Duncan: They’re increasing essentially the closing costs.

Coy: They’re not increasing the rate?

Duncan: No, just the with the FHA funding fee up front. So some people are going to see increases of $300 to $600 minimum for purchases that they make with FHA loans.

Coy: Now we’re talk with Jim Duncan of Nest Realty. Where is the volume that we’ve seen quarter after quarter? Is it in the lower end of new home buyers?

Duncan: It’s under $300,000 is the bulk of what we’re seeing.

Coy: So apartments, townhouses, condo’s kind of thing?

Duncan: More town homes and single family. I mean I think that the condo market is going through a significant transition. A lot of the condo conversions that we saw in the boom years are really suffering right now where some were purchased for $200,000 or $225,000 a couple of years ago are now selling for $80,000 and $90,000.

Coy: Oh my God!

Duncan: That’s a segment of the market that is really really hard right now.

Coy: Now all of these new people that are getting into the market as home owners for the first time with this tax credit wouldn’t that bode well that they are going to want to move up?

Duncan: I think so.

Coy: Wouldn’t that sort of push the market up with all these new people in at the bottom?

Duncan: I think so, but again, it’s something we, as Americans have a hard time doing, just looking at the big picture. That’s something that’s not going to take effect as far as the next cycle for five to seven years. So the people who are buying today in that sub $300,000 in my client base are buying for a minimum of five to seven year time frames.

Coy: So if they do move up, they won’t have enough equity to move up for at least a few years.

Duncan: Right and I’ll be 40! It’s a good thing that we’re starting to see people who have some confidence in buying right now, but there are all sorts of negative indicators that we’re looking at and trying to make sense of.

Coy: Like?

Duncan: Well the foreclosures. I think that when you look at the number of foreclosures in our area, it looks like they’re going up. I always make the parallel between Northern Virgina and Charlottesville Metropolitan statistical area. NOVA is down year over year about 23% from foreclosures and we are actually up from the beginning of the year to fourth quarter of 2009 to about 57%.

Coy: So foreclosures in Central Virginia are way up?

Duncan: Right. Right and I think we’re just starting to see that wave.

Coy: What’s the price value of the homes? Where are we seeing those foreclosures, across the board?

Duncan: All over the board from top to bottom.

Coy: Really?

Duncan: So I’ve seen some that are in the $600,000, $700,000, $800,000 price range and some are in the $30,000 to $100,000 price range.

Coy: In Northern Virginia with the volume that they have though, they’re usually a little ahead of us, right?

Duncan: Right. They usually track.

Coy: So it’s encouraging that their foreclosure numbers are coming down.

Duncan: Right. I think they’re at the point that we want to be next year now. So there’s a lot of stuff happening right now. The interest rates are thought to be moving up after the second quarter of this year which will increase the purchasing price for buyers and increase the amount of reduction that sellers are going to have to make to meet those buyers.

Coy: Jim Duncan is my guest. You said something last year or the year before on this program that I took to heart and I think it’s the best advice you ever gave for this market. People, if you own your home and you’re in your home the best thing you could do right now is fall in love with your home again. (*note: I’ve used this line quite a lot and want to be clear that it wasn’t my idea; I just think it’s a brilliant and relevant and useful concept)

Duncan: Absolutely.

Coy: And look at it with fresh eyes and say: you know what? This is the time. I’ve always wanted to punch a hole through that wall and make this one big room. I’m going to do that. And that in fact is something I just recently did because I am seeing my home in a totally new way now and I’ve totally fallen in love with it all over again.

Duncan: One of the things that I think we’re seeing now is that the people who are buying now are doing it now with the intent to be in the community and that’s something that we haven’t seen over the last five to seven years. We’re transient in Charlottesville by nature.

Coy: People are just treating the homes they bought like bank accounts and flipping them and taking money out of them and not really thinking long term. Most people this is where I want to raise my kids and this is where I’m going to be 15 to 20 years from now.

Duncan: I’ve had people who have bought recently who are looking at that ten, 15, 20 year time frame which I think is wonderful from the community aspect.

Coy: Yeah. That’s good for us. Jim what’s the website again?

Duncan: www.realcentralva.com and www.nestrealtygroup.com .

Coy: Jim Duncan www.realcentralva.com and www.nestrealty.com are the websites. Thank you for being here. I appreciate it.

Duncan: Thank you Coy.

Coy: You’ve been listening to Charlottesville right now with Coy Barefoot. Charlottesville right now is broadcast live Monday through Friday on news radio 1070 WINA from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Best selling author and historian Coy Barefoot is the host and producer. To interact with Coy and his guests, you can call (434) 977-1070. Coy can be reached at: barefoot@wina.com. This audio download has been made possible by the Charlottesville Podcasting Network. Visit www.cvillepodcast.com for more.

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

Are there any specific topics you would us to discuss?

Questions that haven’t been discussed substantively anywhere else?

I was bumped due to the settlement of the recycling/trash/Van der Linde lawsuit; tune in today to hear this important discussion. I will be on next week, though.

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

I’ve been a Realtor for just over eight years, a real estate broker for nearly a month, and have been writing this blog for five years. Without the blog, I wouldn’t still be in business.

A couple million page views, several hundred thousand visitors, I finally had to switch to a more robust hosting solution, and most importantly, I’m still a successful husband, father and Realtor. 2009 was a pretty good year.

For my readers and clients (and potential clients) – please contact me anytime with questions about the Charlottesville regional real estate market, story suggestions, tips,

I worked hard on last year’s “blog-iversary” post where I looked back at four years of blogging about the Charlottesville real estate market, so I won’t do the same this year.

Milestones in 2009:

There were quite a few more, but a sampling …

- The brokerage – We opened Nest Realty Group this year, and by all accounts we have been successful. Increased market share, implemented new tools and always placed the clients first. 2010 looks to be exciting.

- I finally earned my Virginia Broker’s license.

- I’m giving up my fight to eliminate single-agent dual agency. More on this later, but suffice it to say that the traditional real estate establishment has too much of a vested interest in this legacy. I and we at Nest will just continue doing what we think is right for our clients; “Dual Agency is not in the client’s best interest — it’s only in the agent’s best interest“.

Other thoughts:

- Blogging is work. (but the good kind – fun and rewarding)

- I’ve added a lot of tools to the blog over the years, and gladly talk about them to whomever asks. Heck, five years ago the only “tools” I knew about were reading, writing and how to publish. Tools don’t make you good at what you do – in my case, representing clients.

- My archives are getting full.

- I’m trying to stick with my roots – writing about the Charlottesville real estate market, growth, politics, etc.. I stray frequently, but appreciate readers’ persistence and patience with my tangents.

- I’ve enjoyed a good relationship with the Charlottesville press, whom I respect for doing their best and embracing new ways to communicate to their readers. Seeing them all reach out to their respective readers and views via Twitter, Facebook … and yes, in real life … has been encouraging.

I’m grateful for my readers, clients and friends. Unsolicited kind words such as this make what I do worthwhile:

Still one of my favorites, from 2007:

… I started investigating local real estate blogs because, given that I am old and anxious to call myself a homeowner, I should approach the market as an old, yet informed, future Donald Trump, should I not? This is how I arrived at Real Central Virginia, a real estate blog by local Realtor Jim Duncan who, not coincidentally, is quoted to distraction in all manner of local media. It should be no surprise that the vast majority of local Charlottesville blogs are insanely boring or stupid or both. Ditto local real estate blogs (or all real estate blogs for that matter). Which is why this one stands out as being none of the above: It’s both good looking and good reading. It makes good use of TV clips from YouTube, links to articles on the topic (“The Upside of a Down Market” on RealBlogging.com), and personal observations.

I’m going to continue to be involved in Realtor and real estate stuff. I’ve questioned being involved, but will remain so long as they’ll have me (and even when they don’t I’ll still express my opinion). I serve on the Charlottesville Realtor Association Board of Directors, a committee or workgroup here or there, just finished my fairly fruitless term on the Virginia Association of Realtors’ Public Policy Group, will be beginning service on a VAR Group tasked with evaluating Virginia’s Agency laws (because, since the early ’90′s “much has changed in real estate with the advent of new technologies, business practices and consumer expectations.”) and will continue to serve on National Association of Realtors Groups and Committees whenever I am asked. I serve to learn and give back.

My advice to those who are fretting about not having strong social media presences? Don’t worry. Start writing; but write for yourself and your brand, not someone else’s. I’ve said since the beginning that my focus is on owning the content I create; what benefit do you get from building someone else’s site?

Find my Google profile, my card.ly profile, my Twitter feed,

Sincerely, thank you for reading and spending your time here. I greatly and humbly appreciate your time.

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

Once again, an hour wasn’t enough. It never is. Thanks to Rick Moore and WNRN for the opportunity and Charlottesville Podcasting Network for the podcast.

I read more so you don’t have to.

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Charlottesville area in 2010, when should you begin looking?

Answer: now.

Prepping to sell a house in Charlottesville.

Prepping to buy a home in Charlottesville.

I’m doing something differently this time. I’m posting the links to most of the subjects we discussed, but will be elaborating and expanding on them for throughout the course of the week. While we may have discussed each issue for only a few minutes, I think that each one warrants a separate blog post so as not to be missed.

So, skim these links or wait until the posts come out. I’m also going to post the transcription when it’s done.

Strategic Defaults:

Strategic Defaults: Naughty or Nice?

Walking Away From The House She Can Afford

If Morgan Stanley Walks Away, Why Shouldn’t You? Firm Walks Away From 5 Properties

Short Sales:

11 Short Sale Frequently Asked Questions

Short Sale Help – HAFA

Foreclosures in Charlottesville:

Two properties with $100k price reductions

A quick look at some of the foreclosures in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area shows that there are foreclosures ranging from $25,913 to $1,010,000

Biscuit Run may become a park:

Update 28 December 2009: Windfall for Biscuit Run developer? Tax credits could become cash (at the Daily Progress. h/t Charlottesville Bubble Blog)

- Charlottesville Tomorrow

- cvillenews

- The HooK

Tax Credit: Who qualifies for the homebuyer tax credit?

First time homebuyers

“Move-up” homebuyers.

From NAR

Tax Credit information on RealCentralVA

HR 3458 – For our purposes, known as the “homebuyer tax credit act“

More on Home Sales – nationally

Why U.S. Home Sales Are Both Up and Down

New-Home Sales Drop 11.3% As Impact of Stimulus Fades

Home Sales up as Buyers Respond to Tax Credit – National Association of Realtors (read with the biased grain of salt)

More on Home Sales – Charlottesville/Albemarle

Predictions and Prognostications:

Prepped but Didn’t Get to:

U.S. Lifts Limit On Aid To Fannie, Freddie

Shadow Inventory

The nationalization of America’s mortgage problem

Resources for Accidental Landlords

As Slump Hits Home, Cities Downsize Their Ambitions
Fannie, Freddie and the Struggles of HAMP

OFHEO – Rankings by *Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Divisions Percent Change in House Prices with MSA Rankings** Period Ended September 30, 2009

OFHEO says Charlottesville real estate has appreciated over 5 years

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

Here is my working list …

• The first-time homebuyer and “move-up” buyer tax credits.
• Reasons to buy a home now. And … reasons not to buy.
• Impact of NGIC/DIA coming to the area
• Biscuit Run’s acquiescence to the market – will it really become a park?
• Foreclosures and Short Sales in 2010 in Charlottesville – flood or trickle?
• Strategic Defaults – brought on by underwater homeowners – what will be their impact?
• Home sales and building permits
• The Charlottesville Realtor market – how many have moved on since the bubble deflated?
• Maybe a little plug for Nest Realty – Charlottesville’s newest real estate brokerage
• If you’re going to buy a home in Charlottesville in 2010, when should you start looking? (how?) (now) (Same if you’re looking to sell a home in Charlottesville)
• …
• … (have you noticed the Meebo bar at the bottom? It lets you share and interact with this blog in a new and easier way)
• …
• I’m sure there’s a lot more we’ll discuss – what do you want to know?

I love doing radio for some of the same reasons I love writing this blog – one of the foremost reasons is that live radio forces me to prepare … as always, I prepare too much stuff to talk about, but I’d rather over-prepare. Dead air is hard to conceal.

I’m thinking about trends in housing as well …

1 – New Urbanism
2 – Green building (green as in “saving money” in addition to “feeling good about oneself”
3 – Walkability – (and its benefits for a safer community)

Examples:

Most Walkable homes in Charlottesville

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 214. See more city of Charlottesville (city Of) real estate.
(all data current as of 2/12/2012)

1. $579,500 : 428 Monroe Ln (charlottesville), Unit 504, CHARLOTTESVILLE (CITY OF)
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,314 sq ft
2. $654,500 : 428 Monroe Ln (charlottesville), Unit 509, CHARLOTTESVILLE (CITY OF)
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 1,495 sq ft
3. $579,500 : 428 Monroe Ln (charlottesville), Unit 507, CHARLOTTESVILLE (CITY OF)
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,314 sq ft

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

Most Walkable homes in Crozet

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 102. See more city of Crozet real estate.
(all data current as of 2/12/2012)

1. $454,975 : 5358 Raven Stone Rd, Unit LOT 72, CROZET
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,299 sq ft

   Lot size: 25,700 sq ft
2. $549,900 : 0 Millburn Ct, CROZET
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,955 sq ft

   Lot size: 17,424 sq ft
3. $579,900 : 1 Bradbury Ct (albemarle), CROZET
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,021 sq ft

   Lot size: 17,424 sq ft

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.

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

As with every conference I attend, I go with a couple goals:

1 – What can I learn that will help my clients?

2 – Learn at least two things that will help me better represent my clients in the Charlottesville area?

3 – What can I learn that will position me ahead of my competition?

- Note that my competition consists of more than Charlottesville Realtors – it’s consumers as well. Consumers are far more tuned in and in touch that ever before, and I have to work that much harder to stay ahead of them. Really, if they consistently know more than I, what value do I bring other than an MLS login and a lockbox key?

Here is a preview of my work-in-progress part of the panel:

Update 14 November: This is the presentation I gave yesterday. Frankly, it’s still a work-in-progress, as things are changing so quickly.

I love that this panel is the second-most pre-registered event at the convention. It really should have been scheduled for at least 90 minutes rather than 60.

Update 18 November 2009: The Realtor newspaper put out during the conference has a recap of the panel.

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