CAAR has released their first quarter market report and David Hendrick with the DP analyzes this morning the changes in the market. The seemingly dramatic increase in inventory can be attributed partially to the large number of condo conversions in the market – one response to the need for affordable housing. As always, David has a cogent analysis of the effects of this increase. One danger not mentioned in the article is that of buyers and sellers buying into doom and gloom headlines locally and nationally. Knee-jerk reactions tend to be (in my experience) the wrong reactions. Balance and market sustainability are good for the long-term health of the real estate market. We are seeing a shift in the market – that of properties returning to being considered homes and investments rather than strictly unending bank accounts. That’s a good thing.
Date Archives April 2006
Connected communities
As our region continues to grow, each area has its own perspective on how to handle growth – Orange County – Resident, after resident, after resident lined up to speak in strong disapproval to the proposed Annandale development. The 244 acre site would sit just outside of Gordonsville and house nearly 500 single family homes for people ages 55 and up. Some residents felt this many homes could destroy the small town feel.Nelson County – In addressing Nellysford, Rue said there could be three routes taken to complete the plan. They include long-term transportation and business growth, a focus of safety issues on Virginia 151 or a plan that looks at safety as well as business growth.Louisa County: questions are raised regarding the mixed-use implementation as they revise their Comprehensive Plan – The suggested changes would define “very low density residential development†as one dwelling unit per acre and “low density residential development†as up to two dwelling units per acre. High density residential development would be defined as more than six units per acre…. (and one person remarked) “If [one house per acre] is very low density,†she said, “I don’t know what life is going to be like around here.â€What if a rural county wants to maintain its rural character? And one of my favorites comes from Trish, who laments the changing landscape of the CharlAlbemarle area – Why do we have to completely strip the land to build anything?… The land-use decisions in Louisa will impact the real estate market in CharlAlbemarle – if more people are able to comfortably buy, live and work in Louisa, perhaps fewer people will move to CharlAlbemarle.
Search terms
I am frequently amused at the ways visitors reach this blog. A few of the recent strings that stand out:how much below asking price to offer real estate – it depends. Make sure your Realtor does a CMA.charlottesville va bad neighborhood – Call the Charlottesville Police Department. Their online incident section is way out of datewhat do i need to listen to podcasts in my caar Do they mean “my car” or mycaar? Either way, my podcasts are here.virginia real estate self representation making an offer to buy a- techrealtor negative perceptions integrity – With the vast number of Realtors and the low standards for entry, this is bound to happen. charlottesville daily progress crap paper – funny.homedepot ecooptionsnar ceo mls consolidation – let the grassroots begin!housing comps waynesboro va – A sign of the changing marketwaynesboro towncenter plans – Aargh. Another towncenter?how to find a house if you know the mls number in virginia Go here.
Things I have not had time to read
Being away at this Leadership Academy is extremely challenging – business grinds slowly and I fear I am neglecting my clients. However, I am learning an awful lot; we have been spending time with Ann Atkinson this morning. Wow.Workforce housing *is* affordable housingCommunities are coming to understand that not only does affordable housing make communities healthy demographically, but also practically, as demonstrated by this recent New York Times article:RWSA unveils recommended water supply option – Finally!Biscuit Run work sessionsRising gas prices: Good or bad? Maybe this will be the time that we seriously consider and plan for the future.Top ten obstacles to selling a home – as always, Ardell writes a story that speaks to me and my clients.
Image is not “everything”
I may have the opportunity to contribute to a discussion (a Virginia Association of Realtors “workgroup”, I believe it’s called) regarding how to improve Realtors’ image. I try to enter everything with an open mind; that said, my first thought is a simple one – improve the product. Never have I heard a successful Realtor say that either the entrance standards or continuing education standards were remotely sufficient. Let’s work on raising the standards of practice and then work on image. So long as people enter this profession because they don’t have anything better to do and because it’s perceived as “easy,” our profession’s image will suffer.
Light blogging this week
I am away for much of this week attending the second of four retreats for the VAR Leadership Academy, and probably spending the time upon my return catching up. This time we are in Natural Bridge, just past beautiful Lexington, home of my alma mater, VMI. What are the chances these guys are wrong?Bill Gates, John Doerr and Steve Case believed in the Internet long before Wall Street did. Now, they’re betting on the next great “disruptive” technology: alternative fuels and other environmentally friendly products, but this time other investors aren’t far behind.And we will soon have wind technology in our backyard.The alternative fuel economy is going to shape how our region grows, whether we like it or not…. I cannot stress this enough: Our scattered, disconnected, low-density pattern of development is a significant contributor to the increase in Vehicle Miles Driven and gasoline consumption. Over the past half-century, Virginians have built an auto-centric physical infrastructure adapted to a cheap-energy world but maladapted to an expensive-energy world…. But our political leaders continue their Business As Usual transportation and land use policies, differing only in the extent to which they are willing to dedicate new revenue streams to perpetuate the ancient energy regime. This, too will shape the future of CharlAlbemarle.
Today’s signs of the apolocalypse
50 year mortgages Buy a house, get a BMW Technorati Tags: real estate