What’s a builder to do?
The following is from a homeowner in Albemarle County - "I recently learned that after being in my home for only 3 years, that I have a major leak in the water line running from the street meter to my house. Like most living in…
It’s a great time to buy a house
Unless, of course, you need to sell your existing house first. The Charlottesville region's dependence on those relocating from New Jersey, New York, Northern Virginia, Boston, California and other areas of formerly-skyrocketing-appreciating-houses is over.
Fragmented search with Zillow and Trulia
Searching for homes in the Charlottesville (or any area) is easier than ever - and more confusing and fragmented. Even the Wall Street Journal thinks so (albeit that wasn't the intent of the article). Hopefully consumers don't get drawn into the false sense of completeness…
Central Virginia regional real estate market update
The real estate market is constantly changing. One of the most valued currencies available is trust and credibility. With that preface, welcome to the market report for the Charlottesville area for November 2007. This month I am including data from 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.…
Realtors spend too much time discrediting Lawrence Yun
What a shame that we have to spend so much time and effort on- and off-line answering the National Association of Realtors' economist's "predictions." Noah is spot on: The NAR has unsuccessfully predicted housing trends for 70% of 2007! For the past 9 months, count…
Clarifying my stance against Dual Agency
I have long argued against Dual Agency, and need to slightly redefine/clarify my opposition - My beef is with Single Agent Dual Agency where the same agent represents both sides of a transaction. In principle and practice, Dual Agency, also known as Designated Agency, when…
Virginia General Assembly 2008
The new session is right around the corner, so expect more postings regarding bills and discussions relevant to the new session, real estate, eminent domain, property taxes, transportation and whatever else is related to real estate. This bill, for example, submitted by David Toscano, that…
Builders are pro-illegal immigration?
That seems to be the case. Update 12/17/2007: I just came across this story in the Washington Post: A broad coalition of Virginia business interests, including some of the most powerful trade groups in the state, has created an organization to oppose laws that would…
Friday links – 07 December 2007
Even more construction at UVA - this time a cancer center. The University insulates our real estate market to a certain degree. But - what will happen to the four existing locations that are being consolidated? Maptimizer - taking walkscore to the corporate level: The…
Toy lift needs Help
From today's Daily Progress: It's T-minus two days before Tom Powell lifts off the Charlottesville Fashion Square mall pad in the 19th-annual Toy Lift amid some serious concern at mission control. ... “This really isn't the first economic downturn we've had in 18 years and…