I’m betting that for this list, they are considering “Charlottesville” to be at least “Charlottesville + Albemarle.” … They have a general impression of locales, but they don’t have much solid information, and it’s hard to compare one to another. And that’s what we’re trying to do — so they can get a picture of that,” Lynch says. … The rankings are based on 12 criteria in three general categories: academic environment (with an eye toward factors such as student diversity and degree attainment), quality of life (arts and leisure, cost of living, etc.) and professional opportunity (such measures as earning potential, unemployment rate, entrepreneurial activity).
Defining Insanity
““If we keep trying to stimulate the market, that’s the definition of insanity.— Dear Government: Please stop.
Walking to School – Let’s Make it a Habit Again
I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy the writing and the message of the Free Range Kids blog … today she pens Whatever Happened to Walking to School?
…We forgot the joy of scuffing down the street when we were young, crunching leaves, picking up seeds, and decided we’d do it all for our kids, independence be damned! … And one day, they might even get to tell their own kids something more than: “When I was your age, I walked 10 feet to the SUV—and it was uphill both ways.” … I know this – walkability has become more of an absolute “must-have” for more of my clients seeking to buy homes in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area.
Buying a Home in Charlottesville – Title Insurance
Big thanks to Tim Kelsey in Charlottesville for dropping some title insurance knowledge and advice. I tell my clients that title insurance may seem to be worthless, but … if you end up having a claim against your property, the cost of title insurance will be far outweighed by the cost of hiring an attorney.
Who Pays the Buyer Broker Fee?
This is a far-reaching and informative conversation/debate at Rain City Guide, which is worth the thirty minute read if you’re interested in this sort of thing . (And you should be interested if you’re in or will be in the market to buy or sell a house in Charlottesville or if you’re a Realtor … times continue to change as people continue to question and challenge the archaic way by which the real estate world operates) And here is the crux of the issue: If a broker just opens the door for a buyer, has that broker become the “procuring cause,†thus entitling that broker to the (commission)? … As the real estate industry matures in the modern, internet-based world, hopefully it will move towards a more rational way of compensating buyer’s brokers, one that compensates them for services peformed and value added, not just for “procuring†a buyer. I’ve said time and again – my business, and hopefully the better parts of the real estate industry, will continue to shift towards representation of clients’ and their interests and away from selling. (come back on 9 September to read a very relevant story about buyer broker fees)
Three Common Questions Homebuyers Ask About Homeowner’s Insurance – Part Three
Many homebuyers make the mistake of thinking that however much they are purchasing a home for, that’s how much insurance they should carry. … If someone buys a home for $250,000 and the replacement cost is $200,000, the insurance company is not going write a check for an extra $50,000 just because it was insured for $250,000. … The appraisal can be used as a source for the replacement cost as many times it separates the rebuilding cost from the value of the land and so forth. … Either way, it’s important to talk with your agent to make sure you understand what the replacement cost is based on and why it’s different from the purchase price.
Friday Chart – Housing Bubble versus Higher Education Bubble
Where are the College Bubble Blogs? Why is the same amount of vitriol not conveyed upon higher education institutions? The Higher Education Bubble: It’s About to Burst
…Found via TaxProf Blog , via Instapundit .