UVA Continuing to Grow – Adding Stability to Charlottesville’s Economy
One of the brightest spots in the Charlottesville area economy is the University of Virginia. Love 'em or hate 'em, they provide stability and opportunity. Charlottesville Tomorrow reports: Noticeable at the Planning and Coordination Council meeting was the contrast between the scale and ambition of…
One Way that Real Estate Agents are Like Lawyers
The New York Times notes this regarding law schools: "The fundamental issue is that law schools are producing people who are not capable of being counselors," says Jeffrey W. Carr, the general counsel of FMC Technologies, a Houston company that makes oil drilling equipment. They…
Sunday Reflection
Sometimes it takes a moment like this to reaffirm why I choose to stay in Charlottesville. Taken while meeting with a potential seller in Free Union.
There Is NO “National” Housing Market
I haven't done a Friday Chart in a while, but this struck me: This is a chart showing the inventory for Scripps Ranch in San Diego, courtesy of one of the best writers I know, Kris Berg. Contrast the above chart with the one for…
Housing Market “Recovery” is Aiming for the Wrong Thing
Stability. That's what we should be targeting. sta·bil·i·ty/stəˈbilitÄ“/ Noun: The state of being stable. Synonyms: constancy - steadiness - firmness - fixity - permanence "Recovery" is the wrong term for what the housing market/economy needs. What the housing market was is likely to never exist…
City-County Revenue Sharing, Albemarle County Redistricting and Property Taxes
Three big stories if you live in (or are considering moving to) Albemarle County: - Your elementary schools need balancing and need to be redistricted. (always check your school district before you buy!) (Update: these are the options for redistricting Hollymead and Baker Butler) -…
So What if the NAR Overestimated Home Sales?
What's old is new again. "The National Association of Realtors says it has overestimated the number of homes sold in recent years and will soon publish revised statistics based on a new benchmarking methodology." To which I say: so what? I have yet to see…
City of Charlottesville Real Estate Market Update – First Ten Months of 2011
One big notation: I'm no longer comparing today's real estate market; what happened in 2005 - 2007 and before is interesting, curious, anomalous and ultimately irrelevant to today's real estate market. EVERYTHING is different now - interest rates, economic outlook, international economic events, gas prices,…
Albemarle County Real Estate Update – The first Ten Months of 2011
One big notation: I'm no longer comparing today's real estate market; what happened in 2005 - 2007 and before is interesting, curious, anomalous and ultimately irrelevant to today's real estate market. EVERYTHING is different now - interest rates, economic outlook, international economic events, gas prices,…
Veteran’s Day 2011
To all veterans and their families: thank you, from me and from my family. But don't stop today. Thank them whenever you can. What they and their families have sacrificed for us is immeasurable. Thank a veteran today.