The best analysis I have seen that clarifies the conflicting housing numbers released by the Census Bureau.
Posts Published by Jim Duncan
A Charlottesville Realtor who tries to stay on the bleeding/cutting/functional edge of technology and real estate trends. I have been selling real estate for the past 10 years, lived in C'Ville for twenty+ and am married to one of few Charlottesville natives left.
Roundabout in Ivy
Following up on the Hook’s report in March, WINA notes today that:(Supervisor Sally Thomas) believes a roundabout might work at the intersection of Owensville Road, Morgantown Road, and 250 West. Thomas contends a roundabout is a good idea when roads at an interchange, such as those three, don’t align themselves precisely.The data from VDOT (please excuse my lack of possible correct data interpretation) shows that Ivy Road has 46,000 vehicle trips a day. Unfortunately, I could not find specific data showing how many vehicle trips the roundabout at the airport manages (which Sup. Thomas cites as the successful reference), but I cannot believe that it is anywhere near 46,000. If Crozet does end up growing to 12,000 (or 24,000) people and the speed limit through Ivy is (if I recall correctly) 35 MPH, how big would this roundabout have to be?Below is a picture of “The greatest roundabout ever built in the US. It carries up to 58,000 vehicles per day and 8,000 pedestrians per day.” That looks a little bit bigger than Ivy.Bacon’s Rebellion loves roundabouts…. I do drive Ivy Road at least twice a day (four times today).Note: How does this impact real estate, the primary function for this blog? It impacts quality of life and the desirability of an area – thus, property values.
What happens after the Baby Boomers?
There is an awful lot of discussion about the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and the impact that they are and will continue to have on the real estate market. I noted it here a little while ago. The CharlAlbemarle area has very little housing that is suitable (mostly single-level living, Universal Design, (and here)conveniently located near efficient public transport) for the 55+ crowd. One of the only single-family developments (condos excluded) designed for retiring baby boomers is at least 20 minutes north of the City – with no public transportation at all…. While the houses may not suit today’s lifestyles – open floorplans and kitchens, master suites, at least 2300 finished square feet – they have that other major criterion – Location. What will the landscape look like in thirty or forty years when these now new developments (I am reluctant to call some of these new incarnations “neighborhoods” just yet) start to experience their own turnover?… The current trend for Gens X and Y is toward smaller, smarter spaces rather than large, sprawling McMansions plopped into a field somewhere. This seems to me to be two incompatible trends poised to collide at some point.A Rismedia story noted:Three out of five (baby boomers) say their idea of the perfect location to retire is in a rural area or small town, with only 12 percent saying an urban or city setting, and nearly half would consider living in an age-restricted community; 38 percent want to be close to family.If money were no object, access to quality health care is important to more Boomers than being on a golf course (38 percent vs. 4 percent). Ideally, they would like to live in a rural area with access to quality health care.
Part of Hollymead Town Center property to be sold
One million dollars. Per acre. Wow. What does this sale mean for the future of this development? David Hendrick has the scoop and CvilleTomorrow pointed me to the story.
Identity theft
Always be vigilant about your identity. Your credit history is probably the greatest determinant as to whether you can purchase a house (or car, or get phone service, or insurance … ).This is the story of a piece of paper no bigger than a credit card, thrown away in a dustbin on the Heathrow Express to Paddington station. It was nestling among chewing gum wrappers and baggage tags, cast off by some weary traveller, when I first laid eyes on it just over a month ago. … I picked up the stub, mindful of a conversation I had had with a computer security expert two months earlier, and put it in my pocket.If the expert was right, this stub would enable me to access (the traveler’s) personal information, including his passport number, date of birth and nationality. It would provide the building blocks for stealing his identity, ruining his future travel plans – and even allow me to fake his passport.From this weekend’s Guardian.There have been reports of identity thieves using vacant houses in the area to have their stolen identities’ good delivered to. It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
Sunday’s radio show on WNRN
As always, thanks to CvillePodcast and WNRN. Does the idea of buying a house make you feel like curling up into a ball? Relax! It’s actually a pretty straight-forward process, according to Jim Duncan and Matt Hodges. Jim is a realtor with Century 21 Manley Associates, and Matt is with Compass Home Loans. I haven’t been on the radio before; it was an interesting experience and hopefully we answered some questions today.
Who is Realtor.com’s customer?
Realtors or the public (those who are thinking about buying or selling)? I pay more to have my listings featured on Realtor.com as a marketing service for my clients and potential clients. Now Realtor.com wants to sell leads generated by my listings back to me or someone else who is more willing to pay the big bucks? More incentive not to renew next year.Am I off base? Russ at RCG has a report from the NAR convention.