Borrow a Dog & Walk the Comps; Do the Work Now.
%%excerpt%% If you read only one section of this month’s Jim’s Note, make it “Start the Work Now.” The homes that hit the market in spring are being prepped right now.
In 2008 I wrote: “Fear is not a fundamental.”
With hindsight, I’d add to that. Fear isn’t a fundamental. Uncertainty is.
The buyer knows their ceiling. The seller doesn’t. Nobody knows what rates will do.
We study the data, and the data leads. Every decision my clients make still involves a bit of a leap of faith. Part of the job is sitting in the not-knowing with them.
And then they decide. That part is never easy.
Peril & a Rainbow – Jim’s Note September 2026
Clients recently asked me whether buying or selling right now is perilous, and my answer was yes: rates are up, a war is squeezing the global economy, and uncertainty is everywhere. And yet there’s never a perfect time to do anything, so we focus on what we can control, like pricing correctly, preparing well, and matching the decision to how long you’ll actually stay. Also inside: why renting first is the best way to figure out where to live in Charlottesville, why personal property has become 2026’s biggest negotiation headache, and three free guides for buyers and sellers.
Time, Complications, Contextual Fears, and Poop in Sinks | Jim’s Note August 2026
#190 This month: Our HVAC went out a few weeks ago — hot, real hot, and naturally on a Friday. My wife and I remarked that we had just put the new system in, until I pulled up the invoice and found that “just” was…
July 2026 Monthly Note: Say Hi More Often, Cleaning Karma, and the Cash “Discount”
#189 My notes are where I put my best writing, where I encourage you to subscribe as it’s only the one email a month, and I do my level best to write each note as if I’m writing it to one person – you (and…
June 2026 Monthly Note | Your House Won’t be on Zillow, and other Threads
I write these notes every month. This is the link to this one on Substack, where you can subscribe. I post them here because much like real estate, I rent at Substack and I own here. Issue #188 Hi. My name is Jim. And I’m…
Friction, Quiet Wins, 69% and Sticks in a Creek | Note from Jim May 2026
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Issue #187 Making the May note by the skin of my teeth. It’s been a productive…
AI Can Hear You. It Can’t Listen | Jim’s Note April 2026
It’s May, so here’s the archive of April’s note. If you’re interested in getting this note directly to your inbox every month, please subscribe here. If you have any questions about the market or the note, please ask me! This note led to a loss…
AI Can Hear You. It Can’t Listen | Jim’s Note April 2026
It's May, so here's the archive of April's note. If you’re interested in getting this note directly to your inbox every month, please subscribe here. If you have any questions about the market or the note, please ask me! This note led to a loss…
Note from Jim – Charlottesville Real Estate March 2026: Fast Market, More Inventory, and Buying During a War
March is upon us. If you’re interested in getting this note directly to your inbox every month, please subscribe here. If you have any questions about the market or the note, please ask me! This note led to a loss of a few subscribers, and…
February 2026 Note from Jim | How Many Homes Will Actually Fit You? Fewer Than You Think.
Happy January. My February Monthly Note is below. If you’re interested in getting this note directly to your inbox every month, please subscribe here. If you have any questions about the market or the note, please ask me! February. I’ve ridden my bicycle outside three times…