Browsing Category Politics

Real Estate (Dual) Agency in Virginia – Now Updated with a little Reason

in General Real Estate Politics on

HB1907 is law . ( this is me discussing the bill a few months ago ) From the General Assembly’s site (pdf): (boldings are mine) “Dual agent” or “dual representative” means a licensee who has a brokerage relationship with both seller and buyer, or both landlord and tenant, in the same real estate transaction

…That following the commencement of dual standard agency, the licensee will be unable to advise either party as to the terms, offers or counteroffers ; however, under the limited circumstances specified in subsection C, the licensee may have previously discussed such terms with one party prior to the commencement of dual standard agency ; 2. That the licensee cannot advise a buyer client as to the suitability of the property, its condition (other than to make any disclosures as required by law of any licensee representing a seller), and cannot advise either party as to repairs of the property to make or request; 3. … Such disclosures shall not be deemed to comply with the requirements set out in this section if (i) not signed by the client or (ii) given in a purchase agreement, lease or any other document related to a transaction Translated : 1 – The agent can’t tell you about price, terms, etc, but may have already (and probably has) advised the opposing party 2 – The agent can’t tell you anything about the property that’s useful or isn’t something you don’t already know.

Read More

Albemarle May Have a Higher Tax Rate

in Albemarle Politics on

Snow told supervisors this morning that he’s willing to support a tax rate of 75.2 cents per $100 of assessed value, up from the 2010 rate of 74.2 cents. … Rooker, an independent, proposed the rate increase to provide funding primarily for about a $1 million local transportation fund that could be matched with state funds, doubling its value, and about $450,000 to provide the first year of annual financing of a new Crozet library. I’d be inclined to support this if I trusted the politicians/bureaucracy/system to dedicate the increased revenue to specific projects. But I don’t.

Read More

HB 1907 – Agency in Virginia, Disclosures and More

in dual agency Politics on

The bill has unanimously passed the Committee and the House of Representatives . Richmond Sunlight » 2011 » Real Estate Board; requirements for licensure and practice of real estate. (HB1907) Discussing the perils of single agent dual agency has long been my windmill; while not perfect, this bill clearly is a step towards representation .

…That following the commencement of dual standard agency, the licensee will be unable to advise either party as to the terms, offers or counteroffers; however, under the limited circumstances specified in subsection C, the licensee may have previously discussed such terms with one party prior to the commencement of dual standard agency;

…That the licensee cannot advise a buyer client as to the suitability of the property, its condition (other than to make any disclosures as required by law of any licensee representing a seller), and cannot advise either party as to repairs of the property to make or request; 3. … That the licensee will be acting without knowledge of the client’s needs, client’s experience in the market, or client’s experience in handling real estate transactions unless he has gained that information from earlier contact with the client under the limited circumstances specified in subsection C; and 5.

Read More

Is Hollymead Poised to Grow?

in Politics Transportation on

More growth on the 29 North Corridor without infrastructure improvements – not enhancements like another deceleration lane and a stop light (or whatever other bandaid is proposed) but real improvements – is irresponsible . … The news has gotten out to the incoming DIA and NGIC folks that buying/living/moving to areas on the other side of Charlottesville is a bad idea due to traffic in Charlottesville; the infrastructure/traffic scenario in our area is continuing to grow/deteriorate.

…However, at a subsequent work session in December, Boyd said his mind was changed by “additional information,” but he did not further elaborate at the meeting on the specifics. … Boyd went on to say that a rezoning would allow the county to receive financial support, in the form of proffers from developer Wendell Wood, to pay for needed infrastructure.

Read More

Get Ready Virginians – The General Assembly is Poised to Reconvene

in Politics on

Here you can learn about and track the fate of the thousands of bills that will be proposed , voted on, and the few that ultimately become law. Some of the bills are inane, some seem to be designed to implement gridlock , some are a waste of taxpayers’ time and money , and some will absolutely, positively affect your daily lives if they were to become law . … I tend to look at the newest bills every day or two, but so long as you’re looking and letting your legislators know that you’re watching them. … While you’re spending time at Richmond Sunlight figuring out who your legislators are , head over to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) to see who’s giving them money. (note: the “Map Donations” tool is mighty cool ).

Read More