Pulled from the comments – national data’s local impact
Thanks to Larry for the comment: Local buyers are aware of the national trend, and are acting accordingly. Local sellers are starting to get a clue, too: many have dropped their prices by 15-20%, which translates to 25K to 75K…and the houses STILL aren't moving.…
Charlottesville Foreclosures – not that bad
Could this be a sign that the local media is going to start running positive coverage of the local real estate market? Today's Daily Progress notes: Less than 1/2 of 1 percent of Charlottesville area homeowners were either in foreclosure or more than 60 days…
A note to builders in the Charlottesville area
Buyers' expectations and options have changed, and they are being more demanding. For a half-million dollar home, cheap brass fixtures, formica countertops and vinyl in the kitchen won't cut it.
Bus Rapid Transit in CharlAlbemarle?
How cool (and expensive!) would that be? Read more at: Bacon's Rebellion CVillain Daily Progress Charlottesville Tomorrow (the most comprehensive) My thoughts from earlier this month For a County that's considering charging students to ride the bus to school, I'm wondering how much it would…
There has to be a better way to market a house
Than a sign on the side of the road. Update: It's owned by a Realtor, I still think it's owned by a Realtor, as that's what the tax records say, but this report on local TV news alludes to someone else being the owner. The…
Government = Higher Housing prices
Interesting. Graphic and story found at Seeking Alpha, who found it at Cafe Hayek, who refers to the actual original story. Charlottesville's Free Enterprise Forum released a comprehensive study last year enumerating some of the local impacts of government regulation on housing costs (PDF). This…
Transfer of Development Rights bill moves forward
The Transfer of Development Rights bill, HB 991, is moving forward in the General Assembly. From the Daily Progress today: Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, said his House Bill 991 would help create a pilot project to allow a market for the sale of development rights…
FHA Loan limits’ increase potential impact on the Charlottesville market
In response to an inquiry thanks to my handy-dandy "contact me" widget (look to the right!) --- I asked Matt Hodges, a Charlottesville broker with whom I work frequently, to write the following article. Knowing whom to ask is as valuable as knowing the answer…
Hopefully, they’ll study the consultant’s recommendation
And then study the conclusion of that study, too. Please excuse my cynicism. This is a potentially very encouraging step forward - from the Daily Progress: More than a year after discussions began on creating a jointly run bus system, Albemarle County and Charlottesville elected…
Rural Area Protection measures pass in Albemarle County
Channel 29 says it all: What you do with your land is no longer entirely your decision if you live in Albemarle County. After many rewrites over several months, supervisors have come to terms on three ordinances. Each of those ordinances limit your property rights.…