How On-Time is Charlottesville’s Amtrak?
Great transit is darn near a necessity for a lot of people, particularly those moving to Charlottesville from cities within the US and from Europe who are accustomed to, and dependent on, trains. Living in the City of Charlottesville without a car is doable, with the combination of…
Albemarle and Charlottesville Raising Taxes, Schools Closing and More
A few things to know for Monday - from Charlottesville and Albemarle seeking tax increases, a grocery store is moving, and Albemarle County's lost week of school. (more…)
Notes from One Economic Forecast – Market Up or Down?
Every forecast is seemingly different. I had the opportunity to attend the Blue Ridge Homebuilders' annual Economic Forecast breakfast this morning, in which David Crowe from the National Association of Homebuilders gave his outlook for this year's housing market. Lots of good questions and points…
6 Reasons to Buy a Home in Charlottesville in 2015
I can’t recall ever telling buyer clients that “now is the best time for you to buy a home!” But I have often counseled clients through the evaluative process of whether now could be the right time for them to spend hundreds of thousands of…
Zillow’s Data About to Get Worse – for the short term
Update: And Trulia. Update 2: Looks like Trulia keeps the listings, for now. This likely a short-term hiccup, but those of you searching for houses in Charlottesville in 2015 … you’d be best advised to not count on Zillow for MLS-listed homes. For MLS-listed homes (the…
The John Warner Parkway is Open. Finally
After nearly 50 years many years, John Warner Parkway, née the Meadowcreek Parkway, finally opened, overpass and all. And it's sweet. (more…)
February 2015 Monthly Note – Sign Up Now!
I'm looking forward to at least one of the stories I'll be telling, namely the "free advice" one. I got an email from a college friend last week - subject line was "I Want Free Advice!" Him, I answered. This other person, notsomuch. I hope…
Match Day 2015 – Will UVA Medical Residents Buy Homes This Year?
Match Day!I have written about Match Day at UVA every year since 20015. After the (ahem) correction of 2006-2012, I wrote in 2013 wondering if that would be the year that UVA Medical Residents bought homes again; and some did.In 2012, I was concerned about massive student loan…
Charlottesville and Albemarle Real Estate Assessments are Out – 2015 Edition
Charlottesville and Albemarle have released the 2015 real estate assessments. In short, the trend is one of increasing property assessments. - Albemarle County’s real estate assessments are up 2.64%. - The City of Charlottesville’s real estate assessments increased 2.78%. Check your (or your neighbor’s) assessment here: City of Charlottesville…