Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

Clear, Honest Market Analysis. For People, Not Realtors.

Mid-2017 Market Report; Let Fear not Guide You

Lots of “ifs”

Reading yesterday’s Daily Progress about the most recent Charlottesville area real estate market report, one significant piece of advice and context was missing from the “buy now, sell now” message.

IF the time is right for you, now MIGHT be a great time to buy a home in the Charlottesville area.

IF the time is right for you, now MIGHT be a great time to sell a home in the Charlottesville area.

Interest rates are low. Prices are high. Inventory is low.

If you are confident you’re going to be in a home for at least five to seven years, buying might make sense, for all of the reasons that homeownership makes sense for some (locational stability, feeling of ownership, monthly payment constancy).

If you think you are planning to move in the next 2 to 4 years, (strongly) consider renting.

Thinking about selling your home in Charlottesville?

Now could be a great time to capitalize on the market’s ascendancy … if  you are moving elsewhere, or if you have made wise financial decisions and are able to have the downpayment for what may be a significantly more expensive home when you buy.

Make decisions to buy, sell, or to not buy or sell, based on the best information you have available that is relevant to you and your life, not based on reports by a lobbying group.

Take market reports with a grain of salt, know your micro market, and if you have questions, ask them (I’m available – 434-242-7140)

https://twitter.com/JimDuncan/status/884962609736421376

https://twitter.com/cvillenewscom/status/884961484798914560

Image taken from Rob’s recent post (no longer available) (because I couldn’t find it from when I wrote about it in 2006)

Interested in Learning More?

Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.

Dig Deeper

How’s the Charlottesville Market? In August 2026

How’s the Charlottesville Market? In August 2026

How’s the Charlottesville market in mid-August 2026? I ran into a client the other day I’d not seen since they bought and sold their homes seven years ago. They’re a bit removed from it, the way most people are when they’re not actively buying or…

Recapping July’s Charlottesville Real Estate Reddit AMA

Recapping July’s Charlottesville Real Estate Reddit AMA

Doing these AMAs is a highlight of every quarter. I learn something every time, get great questions, and hopefully help answer questions and educate people. Plus, doing these forces me to research and vet the information every time. I am sure I make mistakes, but…

End of June 2026 Charlottesville Real Estate Market Status

End of June 2026 Charlottesville Real Estate Market Status

If 2026's Charlottesville real estate market is anything like last year's market, we still have a ways to go --  ~40% of this year's listings haven't come on the market yet. I was going to wait until first week of July to write this so…

Interested in Learning More?

Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.