After years of complaints, Charlottesville (Albemarle) is (probably) getting a movie theater with stadium seating. Following Waynesboro’s lead , Albemarle’s Planning Commission has narrowly approved plans for a new theater at the Hollymead Town Center . An aside to Charlottesville’s paid journalists: Which took longer to get approval – the theater in Waynesboro or Albemarle?
Making Sense of it All – Where Is the Charlottesville Real Estate Market Going?
At the very least, I would venture to say that with housing starts and homebuilders’ stocks failing to reach new lows after hitting bottom well over a year ago, one can say with some degree of confidence that we have seen the worst of the housing recession.
…This trend — increased “outflow” and slightly reduced “inflow” foreclosure activity — means that lenders and loan servicers are 1) giving up on modifying mortgages when the borrower can’t pay, and instead repossessing homes and auctioning them off, but also 2) trying to manage the foreclosure pipeline to minimize the downward pressure on home prices. … For starters, a multiyear tidal wave of foreclosure sales has been inevitable ever since the housing bubble burst: Too many people had mortgages they couldn’t afford to pay, mortgages with a face value higher than the home’s new market price. … And then I’m hearing that: – There are 7 million foreclosures in the pipeline – what might those do to housing prices? – Some banks are seeking to vacate the lending business altogether. (from a conversation, no link) – Banks are delaying short sales in anticipation of Here’s the problem with politics – while I appreciate the necessity to achieve a “balancing act” it’s time to make a decision.
What are the Chances VMI Beats UVA?
30-70? If JMU can beat Virginia Tech , why can’t VMI beat UVA? Note to VMI Alumni: There’s a tailgate and you’re invited (but you might have to pre-register). If you’re interested in the Charlottesville VMI Alumni Chapter , please let me know (I’m the President) .
Martha Jefferson Hospital’s Been Sold
Sold ! Looks like I’ll have to update my Martha Jefferson neighborhood description soon.
How Much is the Buyer Broker Fee?
That question is one of the many reasons that I choose to use Buyer Broker agreements with my buyer clients . (and why ending cooperative compensation would be a boon to the real estate world ). 1 – The Seller and the Sellers’ Realtor are going to do whatever they can (legally and ethically) to induce a buyer to look at the house … and hopefully buy it.
…(this argument becomes much harder when the seller has no or negative equity) – “It’s none of the Buyer’s business how much I’m being paid!” (as argued by the Buyer’s Agent who ostensibly is seeking to “represent” said buyer) Look, I’m not begrudging Realtors earning livings what I do encourage is for buyers to be aware of what may be going on behind the scenes.
The Meadowcreek Parkway is Opening!
After decades of debate, bajillions of dollars, and countless studies and polls and endless ill will between the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle, not to mention residents of both, the Meadowcreek Parkway is finally going to open! For six weeks. Drive on it while you can.
Stupid.
I can’t think of any other way to say it, especially when it’s been said this succinctly: New Home Sprinkler Requirement Improves Safety .19% . … Beginning in January 2011, a change to the International Residential Code (IRC) aims to reduce that number by making fire sprinklers mandatory in all new single-family residences. Sounds good, but home-building lobbies from Texas to Georgia have defied what they call an impractical, expensive mandate, convincing legislators to pass bills overriding the requirement. … The fire survival rate in homes with working smoke detectors is 99.41 percent, according to the NFPA.