Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

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Albemarle

Custom vs Production Homes in Charlottesville

Custom vs Production Homes in Charlottesville
Custom home in Foxchase Landing in Crozet
Custom home in Foxchase Landing in Crozet

I wrote last year about the different experiences when building with different – and different scale and caliber – Charlottesville builders.

Two quick recent examples that detail the difference between building with production (larger scale) builders and smaller, custom home builders:

Example One

“I (archived: 2026) have a guy with a mobile sawmill. He can rough saw solid pieces of Oak, Cherry or  Walnut.

I would suggest we get a chunk of wood that is 10 inches x 5 inches x about 7 feet for the mantel. I can then get it belt sanded and stain and poly before it’s  installed

Which of the three types of wood do you want?”

Example Two

“We didn’t have to do this but we did.” I don’t remember what “this” was, but I remember being there with my buyer clients and the builder, and what a great conversation this was.

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I have been been representing buyers and sellers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Central Virginia since 2001. Get local insight born of experience.

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Thoughts on 2026 Albemarle County Assessments

Thoughts on 2026 Albemarle County Assessments

Albemarle County assessments increased again in 2026. Want to challenge your assessment? Here's the form. Curious about FAQs about Albemarle County assessments, here's the FAQ. Think your assessment is too high or too low? Ask me; I'm happy to give a quick thought or two.…

Developers Have Long-Term Vision

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Developers think and plan long-term.  Generally. An example. Many years ago, I represented sellers of a piece up land up 29 North. It was a relatively small piece of land, and we received an offer pretty quickly for asking price. About twenty years later, all…

Who Knew HOAs Could be Progressive? No Woodstoves?

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My goal is simple: help my clients – buyers or sellers – make good decisions.