Charlottesville Tomorrow continues to provide quality information, this time a good six-minute video on EarthCraft homes in the Charlottesville area:If only we can move from building to 2300 square foot homes (or less) rather than 3,700 square feet (PDF) … That the Blue Ridge Homebuilders have very actively jumped on board the “green building” movement. I’ve said it before altruism will only go so far; as consumers show there is a demand, green will continue its move to mainstream. If you can, take the time this weekend to take the 2007 EarthCraft Home tour around the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.
Date Archives June 2007
What is Zillow up to?
First, I read on their blog about how they will be, a la Trulia, offering brokers the ability to upload their listings via feeds. Then I see that Zillow pulled a mini-coup hiring Vanessa Fox from Google. I still think that Google will buy one of these companies soon. Which broker will be the first to upload their listings to Zillow?
Ten mistakes buyers make
Great article in the Boston Globe sent to me by a reader. The whole thing is worth reading (and saving as a PDF). The only difference I’ll note between buying in that market and buying in the Charlottesville area is that here, attorneys generally do not get involved until all negotiations – price, dates, home inspection items – are complete. “If you pigeon-hole buying as a financial decision, there’s never a right time to buy.”
Market demand for green building in Charlottesville
The Real Estate Weekly, newcomer House and Home, the Green Matters series being run by Habitat for Humanity,(their links page is here) … Right now there are 17 properties on the market here with the term “EarthCraft” in the remarks, and 3 with “Earth Craft;” (Large PDFs are here as the links expire in 10 days) Charlottesville is consistently rated as one of the top “green” places in the country…. Many buyers note that windows and insulation will be among the first upgrades they made after they purchase…. Building and renovating green are more long-term decisions that many in the market – buyers, builders, Realtors, lenders – are not yet used to.
NAR’s greatest mistake
The National Association of Realtors, by advocating for the use of just any Realtor, does a disservice to all Realtors, particularly those who take this profession as such – a profession rather than a hobby. Saying “Use a Realtor” is much less effective than saying “Use a good Realtor.”
Goin’ to San Francisco
The first week of August for Inman Connect, one of “the premier networking, information, and technology conferences for the real estate industry.” And I’m moderately excited and somewhat nervous.Never having done something like this before, I don’t know where to set my expectations…. I debated going, but after some thought, think that this opportunity may never come around again…. But, this event gives a good lead into an upcoming story on building credibility in today’s online and offline world.
Tuesday links 06-12-2007
Suburban Sprawl on a Diet: When is Enough, Enough? – an excellent article on the changing dynamics of land use and growth.Interesting article on buying a house “As-Is.”