Free Enterprise Forum’s Reality Check Report
The Free Enterprise Forum's "Reality Check" Report - Charlottesville, VA – Albemarle County's Places29 Master Plan for the North US 29 corridor under counts cost by over $175,000,000 (40.5%) according to the ‘Reality Check Report' released today by the Free Enterprise Forum. Using cost data…
Policy Maps in Charlottesville and Albemarle
Check out Policy Map 2.0. This is yet another step forward in data transparency and availability ... and we all benefit. Particularly those relocating who ask those questions that Realtors cannot answer. I noted Policy Maps' usefulness last year, In many ways similar, if not…
New Resource for Realtors and Parents in Albemarle
Albemarle County have put together a simple page with basic information on Albemarle County Schools. It's concise and simple and a good starting point for parents in Albemarle County (or taxpayers to see how their money is being spent). Links to the Standards of Learning…
Where is the Affordable Housing in Charlottesville and Albemarle?
Not sure how I missed this story at Charlottesville Tomorrow discussing "affordable" housing in Charlottesville and Albemarle. Two initial thoughts - 1 - We need accurate data on commuting patterns into and out of Charlottesville and Albemarle. Using data from 2000 is not helpful, and…
Bloggers and Their Rights
Bloggers deserve protected free speech too, and it looks like Waldo Jaquith, with the help of the VA ACLU, Thomas Jefferson Center for Protection of Free Expression, and Public Citizen, is set to prove that fact (again). The time will come I suspect when a…
Charlotesville and Albemarle Elections Are Getting Interesting
Dennis Rooker is running again for Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, and Rodney Thomas is challenging incumbent David Slutzky, with John Lowry running for the seat held by longtime incumbent Sally Thomas in the Samuel Miller district. In the City of Charlottesville, Kristin Szakos is…
Albemarle County Property Tax Rate set to Increase
It's unconscionable that governments would seek to raise taxes in the midst of a recession. Currently the tax rate in Albemarle County is 71 cents - meaning that a homeowner living in a house assessed for $100k would pay $710 per year. Assessments have dropped…
Fifteen Thousand Dollars
Is it a credit? Loan? Gift from above? The effect of this bill/amendment/law/stimulus/thing will be a matter of perception - perception by buyers as to whether they just gained $15k and be sellers as to whether they should hold out for a higher price because…
Billable Hours, Straight Commission, Hybrid or Both?
First in an occasional and developing series ... Step one is demonstrating value. Assuming that I, as a real estate professional, have built a trusting relationship with my clients and potential clients, what is the best way to compensate a good Realtor? One giant stipulation…
No More Real Estate Signs in the Median?
From an Albemarle County press release (bolding mine): Albemarle County will begin enforcing an existing state law against advertising signs in the highway right of way along designated entrance corridors in the County beginning on February 17, 2009. This program is being conducted in cooperation…