Housing sales dropRetirees and real estate in the C’Ville regionTaxes by the mile…some states are experimenting with per-mile tax systems. In Oregon, an experimental system uses GPS to monitor how many miles a car drives. Drivers are then charged an appropriate road tax when they fuel up.Bigger houses bring big and costly energy problems – this is why there is a trend towards more efficient, more functional spaces, rather than just “bigger” spaces. Read: no dining rooms!UVa. wants an Honor Code, just without real consequences. “…
Date Archives March 2006
Morning reading 03-24-2006
Homeowners’ Insurance Premiums set to rise – and you thought you weren’t affected by Katrina, et. al?Higher standards for Realtors – with so many Realtors clamoring and calling for higher standards for their profession, when will their (my) association (NAR) listen? In a nutshell, the association is more powerful lobbying with 1.2 million members who may or may not be professional than with 500,000 (or some other arbitrary number) who are professional? It’s all politics. All of it. Conservation easements and the law of unintended consequences – I hadn’t thought of this – Once a parcel of land is protected from development, it increases the attractiveness of neighboring parcels for development. The knowledge that the original parcel will not be developed, and that the landscape will not change, makes housing in the neighboring tract all the more desirable.
VA book festival “Business Breakfast”
I love that Charlottesville has this type of event – supposedly the most successful book festival to come into existence in decades…. This concept is one that I have been interested in for sometime, but have danced around without having the catchy phrase, “conscious capitalism.”… She addressed four trends that she sees as “next” – two of which – The rise of conscious capitalismBoom in socially responsible investingreally resonated with what is happening in one segment of the real estate industry…. Do you think that those running Nature Neutral are in business solely for the altruistic gains – the karmic payback?… The market for green materials, sustainable housing and alternative fuels will be huge. Sure, there is a “feel-good” factor, but “feel-good” will only carry an idea so far…. There is a profitable market here – there is no doubt.I have read neither book (yet) but there seemed to be some inherent parallels between Ms. Aburdene’s theories and those of Crunchy Cons. One of the most compelling statements she made was that the “moral rebirth of capitalism cannot be achieved through regulation – you may end up with a culture of compliance, maybe – the rebirth must come from the people – from the grassroots” (quoted as accurately as I could).
Blogging for business
It seems that others are catching on. One of the most difficult, yet necessary aspects of this business is self-promotion. That said, here we are – on the cover of Commonwealth Magazine, the magazine of the Virginia Association of Realtors.
Congratulations to Sean!
Kudos to Sean Tubbs, founder of the Charlottesville Podcasting Network, who has been named a finalist for VPTC’s Community Award. (Thanks to CvilleTomorrow for the heads-up) Sean has been instrumental in my business development through the podcasts that he has produced. Through his services, others have been inspired. I’m glad I know him and I hope he wins.
Google Base steps it up
Don’t say I didn’t tell you it was coming – Google’s innovations in the “MLS-replacement” realm continue.
Morning reading 03-21-2006
Madison County struggles with their comp plan and affordable housing. Major subdivisions in Fluvanna County Augusta County’s comp plan consultant fed up, pulls out