Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

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

Month: January 2009

BUYERS

Notes From a Buyer Meeting

What follows are some notes from a recent meeting with new buyer clients. I have expanded on my notes quite a bit as I think that many first-time homebuyers have similar questions and conversations. - Meet with a lender to ensure that your credit is…

GENERAL REAL ESTATE

Challenging the Status Quo

“I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.” If we do not have the courage to acknowledge and examine the status quo - in this case - Agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia, why not? I tell my children that…

SIDEBLOG

Market Perspective from Twitter

Or ... the Charlottesville market's not so bad ... read this conversation from Twitter yesterday. Bolding mine. I said - I wish I could search the MLS based on difference between how much seller's asking and what they owe. Pattyhop: @JimDuncan Do you think there…

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Did you Meet your Neighbors on Your Commute?

It's something to think about. Commuting on a bike connects one to one's surrounding far more effectively than driving a car. I noticed this first-hand last June: Yesterday I parked at a central location (near a coffee shop) and rode to a morning appointment. On…

BUYERS

Are You Buying – RIGHT NOW?

Two questions, the answers to which will help drive a future post. Your answers (you can add your own, too) will be greatly appreciated. These questions are specifically targeted at buyers in the Charlottesville area market. Why are you considering purchasing? ( surveys) And ...…

SIDEBLOG

Are You Paying Attention to the General Assembly?

You should be; much of what they do will affect how we live. For example: This bill: A BILL to amend and reenact 15.2-1129.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to arts and cultural districts. ... A. The Cities of Alexandria, Charlottesville, Falls Church, Harrisonburg,…

RE BLOGS

If Realtor.com Can Do It, Can’t I?

Just curious - If Realtor.com is displaying sold data (data apparently not available in Charlottesville - yet, bolding mine) With some areas experiencing a 25 to 39 percent decrease in home prices in the third quarter, buyers need to remain competitive in potential bidding wars.…

The Slums of Tomorrow Might Be here Today

SIDEBLOG

The Slums of Tomorrow Might Be here Today

Last year the Atlantic published an article questioning whether the fringe communities - the suburbs - would become the next slums. (great discussion at Bacon's Rebellion) "But much of the future decline is likely to occur on the fringes, in towns far away from the…

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My goal is simple: help my clients – buyers or sellers – make good decisions.