Help Kickstart Charlottesville Tomorrow’s Education Coverage
I've long said that I'm better positioned to represent my clients' best interests because of the knowledge and information that Charlottesville Tomorrow shares. Now they're asking for the community's help to Kickstart their foray into covering the education side of the news. Charlottesville Tomorrow has…
Your Credit, CLUE Reports and Buying a House
You know your credit affects everything, right? Did you know that your house (and the one you're trying to buy) has a credit report? You know there's a database for everything, right? Several years ago a real estate agent I know had a buyer who…
Contested Albemarle County Elections – Good For Everybody
Local elections matter. There are six seats on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors; at least two will be contested this year. Every race should always be contested, so thanks to those who are volunteering to run for seat that pay $14,542 per year. Jack…
Buy Local. It Matters
From where contractors' subs come from to where the money ultimately goes when consumers buy a house, more and more of my buyer clients are asking about "local" … Most home builders have energy efficient scores - HERS ratings, blower door tests, etc. I'm wondering…
Home Sales in Charlottesville Down, Contracts Up, Market Turning?
YOUR market will vary. Even though this is what we believe to be an extremely accurate market report, it's still a broad-brush report. Mill Creek will have different inventory levels and absorption rates than will Old Trail, or the Gleason condos. As will different price…
Retrofitting 250 West in Crozet?
The County of Albemarle (and City of Charlottesville for that matter) seem to have a "planning for traffic" plan in which they approve stuff and then, twenty years later, seem stunned that more houses and shopping brought more people and traffic, and then they (we)…
Real Estate Licensing in Virginia does not Equate Competence
You know what leads to competence? Practice. "the Principles of Real Estate course doesn't talk about completing a contract" Because ... how often does a real estate agent write a contract, right? :) Note: Principles of Real Estate is the course that all new real…
Seeking Normalcy in the Charlottesville – Albemarle Real Estate Market
Numbers matter. Today is the new normal when evaluating the Charlottesville real estate market. Last year's market matters (as do the previous years) but what truly matters to buyers and sellers is what today's market is. Some context - the number of homes (single family,…
Charlottesville’s and Albemarle’s Comprehensive Plans
Land use (for many) is boring and is the task of other people. But … if you live in (or are thinking about living in) the Charlottesville or Albemarle areas, you should be paying at least some attention to the Comprehensive Planning Processes of the…
Trusting Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc
Public Service Announcement: I hate to pick on Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com (frankly, I'm surprised by Realtor.com) 1: If you're looking for a house in Charlottesville to see today, use a site that is trusted as having a current, local feed from the Charlottesville MLS.…