Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

Clear, Honest Market Analysis. For People, Not Realtors.

General Real Estate

What happens if Charlottesville becomes a “declining market”?

In short, thanks to Carl (no longer available)

“It is possible that if a buyer was approved for a specific loan product say with a 95% loan to value and the after the investor looks at the appraisal report and determines the comps are old or the property is in a “declining market” they could turn around and only approve the loan up to a 90% loan to value.”

We’re not (yet) in a “declining market,” but I’ve been given indications from several sources that we might be on that track.

Start your education here (archived: 2008).

– Advice for buyers – do your due diligence, be patient, save your money in the meantime.
– For Sellers – as I said last year – do not attempt to chase the market down. Beat it down. (ask me for advice)

Interested in Learning More?

Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.

Dig Deeper

Always Read Covenants and Restrictions

Always Read Covenants and Restrictions

You never know what you're going to find when you dig into Covenants and Restrictions. "1. No shop, store, trailer, temporary living structure, factory, hospital, asylum, institution, tourist home or business house of any kind, and no apartment house shall be erected or maintained on…

Revisiting the “0 to 5 Buyer is Gone” Post – 15 years later

Revisiting the “0 to 5 Buyer is Gone” Post – 15 years later

Revisiting the “0-5 Buyer Is Gone” Theory We’re in a different market now. Some of the people who bought between 2021 and 2024 are trying to sell — and the ones who bought new construction, now competing against new construction, are having a hard time.…

A Charlottesville e-bike Success Story

A Charlottesville e-bike Success Story

I have an e-bike. I love my e-bike. I ride it to meetings all over the City of Charlottesville instead of driving my car. e-bikes are great. A friend got an e-bike. He loves his e-bike. He has a different perspective, and I asked him…

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide

Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide Part 1 covered the data. Part 2 covered the design. This week: the regulatory landscape, the ADU reality check, and the practical checklist. The ADU Conversation Has Changed When I wrote about this in…

Interested in Learning More?

Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.