Charlottesville's Real Estate Blog. Buyer &/or Seller Representation, Real Estate News
2010 – Last year was five years of blogging about real estate . … What is done here is so much more than “blogging,” and it starts with this :
New tip for newbie real estate bloggers: work to be a great agent first, blogger second.
…The content – the method, the message, the dedication – will remain the same.
Not necessarily in order of importance: 1 – Gas Prices 2 – Foreclosures (What if Virginia becomes a judicial foreclosure state )? 3 – Short sales, continuing decline of market value (I think we’re looking at ~ 5% – 7% decline this year) 4 – Realtor Competency 5 – Confidence. 6 – Federal Governments’ interference 7 – Employment rates – at UVA, NGIC, DIA, State Farm, etc. and all of Charlottesville areas’ small businesses.
This Sunday – An hour of talking about the local real estate market with host Rick Moore and Matt Hodges of Presidential Mortgage. I used to be overwhelmed at the prospect of talking on live radio for an hour; now it almost feels like it’s three hours too short. … Tune into WNRN radio at 11 am EST this Sunday. … A brief outline of what we may talk about: – Where we are – Where we may be going – Trends in the Charlottesville real estate market – Realtor production/competence – Legislation that may be affecting the real estate market – Foreclosures and short sales – Title insurance issues – Interest rates’ impact on the Central Virginia real estate market One of the most daunting parts of an hour of radio is the required prep work that must be done; it’s also one of the most exciting and rewarding part – prepping for at least three-four hours will absolutely, positively ensure that I know more about the local market and will be better able to represent and inform my clients.
As already revealed, the development will feature a million square feet of residential space and nearly a million more square feet of retail and office space, including a new 14-screen Regal Cinemas with a high-tech IMAX® theatre. However, the latest renderings of the project showed something that a lot of folks will hope is not just wishful thinking: a Trader Joe’s on the corner of Hydraulic and Route 29. … Whether or not actual contracts have been sign with those companies can’t be confirmed, but the general feeling among County planning officials is that the long-awaited project is actually going to get built. … Not only does the building site need to be fully prepared, proposed proffers have Edens & Avant chipping in $1 million to build a fourth southbound lane on Route 29 from Westfield Road to 29/250 interchange, and a second lane for the on-ramp on to 250 West.
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.
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 ).
As I look back at 2010 and forward to 2011 and beyond with respect to the Charlottesville area real estate market, I’m reading national news and opinions as well so as to buttress my perspective. … Key to Real-Estate Rebound: Solid Economic Growth – WSJ Housing faces additional uncertainty because the government is set to reconsider how aggressively to support homeownership. Deficit hawks have their sights set on scaling back the mortgage-interest deduction, and the Obama administration later this month will put forth a proposal on how to revamp Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the broader mortgage market. … And perhaps the BIGGEST “I don’t know” of 2011 : There may indeed be serious and significant title issues that could affect millions of properties, millions of buyers, title insurance companies, and lenders for years to come.