Heated market leads to sudden decisions

I heard the end of an interesting story on NPR this morning discussing the over-heated real estate markets nationwide.  One couple was recalling how they had to decide to make an offer on a house within 30 minutes of visiting the house once and then had to offer tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price, all while waiving the home inspection.  This for a purchase of hundreds of thousands of dollars.Contrast this with purchasing a digital camera.  When the subjects of the story bought their camera, they went through a similar process as I did.   I researched diligently, compared Consumer Reports, checked online and at local stores for prices and so on. Purchasing a home, in a perfect world, would allow for a much more diligent process.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.

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Traffic on 250

A wreck this morning on 64 near the main 250/64 interchange (exit 118) caused the arteries from West of Charlottesville to be backed up. It took me almost one hour to drive from Crozet to Charlottesville. Traffic was bumper to bumper for 15 miles. A foretelling of future traffic woes when they plop down 2000 units in Crozet?

C-Ville takes on the FEF

Honest, unbiased article in C-Ville this week, until you get past the first paragraph. Then a decidedly anti-growth undercurrent surfaces."For the Forum and its supporters, the rumble of bulldozers is the sweet sound of money in the bank. As the head cheerleader for rapid growth in any form?as well as for the local homebuilding and real estate industries that profit from growth ..."Not entirely accurate....

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One Strike

I had the experience today to find out that a fellow professional was apparently dishonest. I can deal with being lied to, but being surprised is a different matter. That and the fact that my clients suffered are upsetting. At least I now know what to expect. One strike is all one gets.

Home technology

More and more, technology is becoming an important factor in Buyers' home buying decision-making process. Whether it be whether a home has high-speed internet access via DSL or Cable, whether a home is amenable to wireless, ability to retrofit for a home theatre (a tough task), technology is literally becoming an integral part of real estate. Does your Realtor know about this aspect of the...

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