This is a useful Unemployment Map for Charlottesville and Albemarle – Click through to the Washington Post for the interactive version . I suspect that the region’s unemployment and underemployment rates are higher than indicated. For a real scare, click the “autoplay changes” button 
Putting Charlottesville Real Estate Information in Context
Transcription : Hey, Jim Duncan with RealCentralVA and Nest Realty here in Charlottesville, Virginia thinking about a common theme that I’ve heard from my new prospective clients recently and it’s a feeling of overwhelmed . A lot of people are overwhelmed with the amount of information that’s out there about the real estate process whether it’s buying a home, selling a home, looking for a home, just getting started . … Personally I read or skim 200 some local Charlottesville blogs and 150 real estate blogs and between ten and 20 economics blogs on a daily or every other day basis so I have become accustomed to processing this type of information in a rapid and hopefully effective way. … It’s something I think I’m pretty good at, I enjoy, and I’m really passionate about educating people, but I always like the opportunity to learn from my buyer clients what they’re reading and what question they have because there’s new information every day and I’m always looking to learn.
I love Diverse Solutions
The product allows agents and brokers using WordPress to get property listings on their own website and own domain to be indexed by the major search engines. dsIDXpress is different than traditional IDX solutions in that it has both the standard consumer search capabilities as well as the ability to insert specific listings or groups of listings into any page or blog post with their Live Listings(sm) shortcodes. … With the National Association of Realtors recently adopting changes allowing for search engines to index property listings on an agent’s or broker’s website, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. … When asked about the new product, Justin LaJoie, CEO of Diverse Solutions, said, “Since WordPress is quickly becoming the platform of choice for real estate websites, it only made sense that we develop a WordPress IDX plugin that provides the functionality that the industry has been asking for.” … Live Listings(sm) allows agents and brokers to create the perfect city, community, or zip-specific pages with listings that are updated in real time for that area. dsIDXpress also include a number of WordPress IDX widgets, including their search and mapping widgets.
C-Ville looks at NGIC and DIA
In just over 4,000 words, he provides one of the best, most insightful analyses I’ve read. ( and gets a few swipes in at the DP) But military intelligence isn’t likely to improve our quality of life in the way UVA does. … With the DIA relocation, some people will clearly win: a few locals who successfully switch careers; qualified UVA students who want to stick around after graduation; engineers and analysts who want to resettle near an idyllic college town; the UVA research park and University employees who teach classes needed for military intelligence; developers with land near NGIC—most especially Wendell Wood and his heirs, who stand to keep selling land to the U.S. government as long as Rivanna Station keeps needing it.
…But understand that obtaining a new clearance, probably higher than TS, for most of the professional jobs at NGIC will be a long process (12 to 18 months), and site security policy may not allow personnel into the building until a clearance is finally granted.
In that case, two issues apply. #1, even if it takes 2-4 months and several thousand dollars to relocate, a pre-cleared person from DC or straight out of the uniformed services can come on much faster than Sara’s fresh, uncleared UVa graduate. #2, assuming that fresh, uncleared Hoo gets hired, what’s s/he going to do for the next 12-18 months while awaiting clearance?
Homes Near NGIC and DIA
I’m working on integrating listings into normal blog posts. This one for instance is for homes that are reasonable close to the NGIC/DIA facility on 29 North in Albemarle. [idx-listings linkid=”18516″ count=”7″]
Would you Use an Open Space in Crozet?
I’ve made no secret about how much I like Open Space in Charlottesville . While they are still trying to, in the words of a friend, “ trying to find their soul †– seeking their own personality as it were, it’s a fantastic concept, and is a space I use as frequently as possible.
… I’m a Realtor , so having a great space to work and meet clients is crucial, but not something I need every day.
…My question is this – if there were an Open Space in Crozet – in Old Trail for example – would you use it?
An Interesting Question – Schools and Housing Values
Seth Godin asks in the “Ubiquity of Competition” : There are twenty towns you can choose for your family’s new home. One invests in its schools, has a focus on inquiry, AP courses and community, while the others are muddling through, arguing about their future. … One of them is represented by a broker who is a pillar of the community, a friend of many and a role model for the industry. … Whenever buyer clients ask me about the quality of Charlottesville and Albemarle County schools, I answer with a market-based response.