June 2014 Note – 5 Minutes!, the Market, Responsibility and Trust
June's monthly note begins (really, it begins a day or two after I publish last month's note and takes shape around now-ish). The working outline (for now) is coming together. I have one or two other ideas to include and will likely pull out one…
Good to Have Companies Like Hemoshear in Charlottesville
Smart, growing, innovative companies doing cool stuff benefit everyone. Their new space is in the old Martha Jefferson building, sharing space with CFA Institute, another anchor to Downtown Charlottesville and the greater Charlottesville economy. (more…)
The Proposed Solution for 29 North
29 is changing. What's that mean? - Lots of money is going to be spent. - 29 is going to be more challenging for a number of years. - Hopefully things will be better and more efficient when they're finished. - Page 6 of this…
What is the value of a Greenway?
What is the value of a green way to a buyer in today's market? Had an interesting conversation this morning in the Crozet Mudhouse with someone who was noting that the attitude shift toward greenways has shifted significantly in the past 10 years or so.…
Better to Rent or Buy? Calculator from the NYTimes
Awesome calculator - beautifully designed and implemented, fairly comprehensive and thoughtful.
Charlottesville, Albemarle and AirBnB
Great story from Laura Ingles at C-Ville about the growing popularity of AirBnB. The question: So what are local governments doing? Airbnb isn't just for big cities anymore, and neither is the controversy around it. Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials say they don't plan to…
(Search for Homes Near) Wegmans in Charlottesville
I didn't intend for this to be a "search for homes near Wegmans" post but as I wrote, I got curious ... Wegmans is seeking to open in Charlottesville next year. This is huge for two reasons: - Wegmans is coming and those on that…
What Would you Change about the Real Estate Process – Conveying Space
How best to convey space? Size? April's note generated some excellent responses, responses for which I'm grateful - not simply for the insight offered but that readers took significant time to respond. Thank you! * "You asked in your monthly note about what's typically missing…
Changing the Proffer System in Albemarle County
I can't argue with any of this. I'd say that there has to be a balance between new homes paying their way and existing homes paying their way. "I think the presumption of the policy is that the county needs an additional means of collecting…
The 29 Saga Continues
Decades and decades of planning and fighting about what to do about Route 29 and I'd argue that our region is worse off because nothing substantive has been done other than widening 29 and adding stop lights. Anyone stepping into the morass that is the…