Lower housing starts is a great thing
The national news this morning that housing starts are down 10.2% is great - from a long-term. If demand is moderating, then adding to existing inventory is foolish. Builders are suffering, but the wider housing economy will benefit by this reduction in adding inventory. The…
Water supply and drought in Central Virginia
With the news that the drought warning will continue ... Update 2023: dead link the HooK) As of last month, my family has cut our water usage by 28% below our average usage. For the first time, buyer clients of mine have specifically chosen to…
We do not need studies. We need action. We need a plan.
Says Bryan McKenzie today. *another Daily Progress broken link There are some serious concerns our community needs to address and not just with another study and another consultant but with real, shirt-sleeves up, kick butt and take down names attitude. Meadowcreek Parkway Eastern Connector Water.…
Three thousand square feet
That could be the threshold after which homeowners start to lose their mortgage interest deductibility. Michigan's Representative John D. Dingell's bill would: Phase out the mortgage interest deduction on large homes. These homes have contributed to increased sprawl and longer commutes. Despite new homes in…
Growth issues abound in Charlottesville and Albemarle
Free Enterprise Forum's October newsletter - they attend more meetings than most people know exist. Bless them. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program still seeking traction Ah, the "greater good" argument: The request creates a conundrum for the Board, a conundrum most succinctly spelled out…
Pulled from the comments of one of last week’s stories – Albemarle growth and appreciation
An excellent comment by JR Jackson last week: I really question the value of these median price metrics, since it's entirely possible that you're not looking at an apples-to-apples comparison. After a closer look at the VAR's July numbers, it seems that “median price” is…
A foray into Albemarle politics
This should be fascinating, educational and overwhelming. The opportunity to participate in the discussion of growth in Albemarle County came about recently, and after a bit of deliberation I decided to take it. Better to exercise my voice and be part of the process. Mission…
Albemarle County BoS Candidate interviews
Charlottesville Tomorrow continues its extraordinary public service with interviews with the candidates for Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. If you're planning to vote (and you should be, if you live in one of their districts) you would be well advised to listen to these. In…
What do we do if the population exceeds optimal levels?
As mentioned in June on Charlottesville Tomorrow's site in June, and approved by the Board of Supervisors, Advocates for a Sustainable Population (ASAP) have received an additional $11k from the City of Charlottesville (you may have to scroll down) for their study to research what…
These cities may have green condos, but Charlottesville will have a LEED-certified development
From CNN Money (h/t: Move): As environmental building becomes more popular, condo developers are selling their "green" credentials to cost and ecology-conscious consumers.Cost and ecology-conscious consumers are no longer necessarily mutually exclusive. More and more, they go hand-in-hand. Via a press release yesterday: ... Belvedere,…