Sure, the moral and ethical thing may be to maintain the payments, but at what opportunity cost to the individual?That free muffin at the restaurant or the lollipop at the barber or the call from the Realtor a week after the house is sold and contracts are signed and the movers have left… believe it or not, it matters.“We see this bill as a tax increase on existing Virginia homeowners and taxpayers,†said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “It pushes even more of the costs of new development onto existing residents.â€On suing buyer’s agents – I’m late to the party on this one, buy Jay did a bang-up analysis. A good buyer’s agent will show the clients the comps, the statistical analysis and methodology for their conclusions.
Date Archives January 2008
Albemarle Place Changes Ownership?
Heard it from a little birdie today. Anybody in Charlottesville’s paid-for-media want to check this out and get back to us?
Richmond’s feeling left out of the musical circus
And I can’t say that I blame them for feeling slighted. I have been watching in disgust as artists have bypassed the 804 for the 434, a city 1/5th the size: Rolling Stones, Clapton, The Police, Justin Timberlake/Timbland, Van Halen (played in Richmond back in the 1984 tour), Dave Matthews Band, etc. The list of world-class musicians that Charlottesville pulls is somewhat ridiculous. Courtesy of the HooK:While he’s unwilling to reveal actual attendance figures (as were all the Charlottesville venues contacted for this story), JPJ’s Wilson says the arena’s last year has been a “phenomenal” success. He points to seven sold-out shows: Eric Clapton, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, High School Musical, and the grand opening back-to-back DMB shows.Wilson doesn’t mention that such internationally renowned venue-packers as James Taylor, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake, and Rod Stewart did not sell out.
Realtors gaming the MLS
This Realtor wanted to be able to withdraw a listing and put it back on so that it both got a new MLS number (to appear “new”) and so that the Days on Market number would reset – ostensibly because that’s what the clients wanted. MLS rules prevent this, but there is always “another way.”When I questioned why – she said that other agents do it, and while she agrees it’s not right, if they’re going to do it, she wants to as well. Rather than report the offenders to the MLS so that the data could be accurate, she would rather game the system.Does this type of gaming the system work? Only on those who don’t have competent buyers’ agents who will track the history of the listing.Now – contrast this attitude with that of previously-mentioned Roost:”The MLS is really the definitive hub … (its) core mission is the integrity of the data,” he said, which is why Roost decided to operate via these relationships in each market rather than rely on brokers to send listings feeds to the site.There’s a reason that Realtors are losing their competitive edge.
Lawrence Yun in a fit of candor
I don’t mean to pick on the guy, I really don’t; I am honestly grateful that he is quoted as saying something blunt and candid.The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that sales of single-family homes fell by 13 percent last year, the biggest decline since a 17.7 percent drop in 1982. The median price of a single-family home fell to $217,800 in 2007, down 1.8 percent from 2006.It marked the first annual price decline on records that the Realtors have going back to 1968. Lawrence Yun, the Realtor’s chief economist, said it was likely the country has not experienced a decline in home prices for an entire year since the Great Depression.People want honest, clear analysis of the local real estate market.For those who read them, who do you trust more – the NAR, Calculated Risk or The Big Picture (or yours truly for local) for cogent, thorough real estate analysis?{democracy:9}Take a look at the aggregate data from the Charlottesville area for the past 5 years – what are your predictions?
Who’s the first to Roost in Charlottesville?
Looks like it’s a Northern Virginia brokerage.If you haven’t seen Roost yet get acclimated here:4Realz, Bloodhound, AgentGenius. There’s lots more, but these will get you started. My favorite part of the site?But – how long until individual agents sites can participate?
A new contact form
Thanks to Greg, it’s in the sidebar. Please let me know if you have any problems.One thought – does the statement – “I aim to help you answer any real estate needs you have” make this blog advertising?