Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

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

General Real Estate

Exploding Water Heater Demontrated – Thanks to Mythbusters

One of the most common items that is found on a home inspection is a missing/broken/leaking TPR* valve – a Temperature Pressure Relief valve (no longer available). Basically, (someone who knows more than I, please correct me) if the water heater gets overloaded the TPR valve is where the water will go. Typically, it’s a few inches off the floor. One of the home inspectors I used to use would say that a hot water heater, given the right circumstances, would explode with the force of a stick of dynamite.

I was thinking about this today in a home inspection, and said that someone ought to suggest this to the Mythbusters. Turns out, they thought of this five years ago (archived: 2012):

* Not a TPS report.

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

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…

Happy Homeownership Day (on a bicycle)

Happy Homeownership Day (on a bicycle)

A good day starts with a bike ride. A better day starts with a bike ride to meet clients for a final walkthrough of their first home. Smile, happiness, projects to be undertaken, projects to be planned, lives to be lived. It's a good day.…

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.