I am interested in viewing one of your properties, could you please call me on my foreign mobile +882 135 502 99 to setup a time. As I am travelling at the moment I am unable to pickup emails regularly so please call.
With the Fourth of July just a couple days away, I am feeling very patriotic. I have my flag out in front of my home and I am looking forward to fireworks…
I ran across this famous photo and thought it was appropriate to post it.
When 9/11 hit I was right in this chair and I will NEVER FORGET.
We must remember that day and the people who died. For some reason it feels like yesterday to me…
Today I received a nice email from a client whom I showed real estate in Charlottesville to this past weekend:
We wanted to thank you for your time, insight andsupport during our visit. It’s understandable how people spend some time in C-Ville and end up not leaving. It’s combines a scenic, bucolic lifestyle with nearby areas of activity through the schools and downtown providing an attractive combination. This along with the school system, recreational programs and general cost of housing provide an overall great quality of life for families. Chuck and Nancy
I spend a lot of time on my blog talking about our area, but I could not have said it better than my clients
Village of Rivanna Master Plan Planning Commission Worksession July 14, 2009
The Planning Commission will hold its first worksession on the draft Village of Rivanna Master Plan on Tuesday, July 14. The draft document is almost complete and will be available for review the week before the worksession, when we’ll be posting it to www.albemarle.org/rivanna. We’ll send an a-mail reminder when the draft document is on the website.
The Commission usually takes public comment at these worksessions, however, the July 14 meeting is not the formal public hearing for the plan. We expect that the Commission will hold the public hearing or hearings on the plan later this year. Prior to the public hearing, a community meeting will be held to review the draft plan with residents. The community will be notified by A-Mail and other avenues when these and other activities are scheduled.
For more information about the Village of Rivanna Master Plan, visit the Village of Rivanna web page: www.albemarle.org/rivanna.
(above photo is a new home for one of my clients, currently being built…the views are amazing)
I love new construction. The whole process, from breaking ground to handing my clients the key at closing. Many agents do not really enjoy new construction because it can take 9 months to a year (or longer) to get to the closing table. But it is the process that I really enjoy, not the closing…
Many times a client will not find the perfect home or location when looking for Charlottesville VA real estate. So it is not uncommon for us to talk about new construction. About 50% of my current contracts are new construction and I am talking with builders and looking at land every week.
So I may ask the question, should we consider building?
The answer is often wrapped around schedule. If a client has the time, new construction may be the best option.
Our local MLS does allow a listing to be entered without a photo, although it is now required to have at least one….
I see the above image way to often. If an agent takes a listing, why in the world would they add it to the MLS with no photos? Are they trying to sell the property or not?
After seeing this again today I have to ask a few local agents:
Are you kidding me?
ok, I guess I got that off my chest, have a wonderful weekend.
Did you know there are great values in the low 200’s?
Check out this listing:
Spacious & inviting one level home with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Large open & level fenced-in back yard on a corner lot with a great deck/patio area & privately screened hot tub. Living room has a vaulted ceiling and W/B fireplace. House is infused with great light and features hardwood floors, new siding and roof. Shows beautifully. One mile from Rt 29 near Albemarle/Greene County line.
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
I was just rereading all the wonderful comments from my most recent blog - yipes! - from two months ago. Where has the time gone?
I have been so busy that I need to schedule everything these days - including fitting in walking my four dogs, making time for family and friends and keeping up with the latest real estate news.
It seems I am bombarded with information and phone calls at every second of every day! Is there a possibility that it is too much to keep track of sometimes? I feel like my cell phone is permanently attached to my ear and I have most of my conversations in 30-second bursts between cries of “Hold on I have another call beeping in!”
I am so fortunate to be busy when the market is so volatile and the interest rates seem to jump up and down every day. I have seen new homebuyers trying to take advantage of the $8,000 credit before the end of the year as well as new arrivals in the area and those whose jobs have taken them to other states or countries.
I just want to thank my network of fellow agents and Active Rainers for keeping me on course and focused when it would be oh so easy to get distracted these days:)
Summer has arrived once again here in Charlottesville. With all the torrential rain and chilly temps in the past few weeks it was momentarily easy to forget it can also get quite hot and very dry. We have had drought conditions in the past and this area has responded rapidly and like a trooper.
Something that has recently come to my attention is the fact that the City of Charlottesville is now offering a $30 rebate if homeowners in the city install rain barrels by an authorized dealer and submit the invoice with their water bill.
My assistant found out this information a few weeks ago and immediately jumped at the chance to save a little money and provide a free source of “play” water for her children to take care of the garden themselves or for other projects in the form of a 50-gallon barrel that sits discretely on her deck.
The barrel is attached to the downspout of a gutter and has an overflow tube when the barrel is full. The water comes out through a spigot that can easily be hooked up to an existing garden hose near the bottom of the barrel - no other hardware or technology required.
If anyone in the City of Charlottesville is interested in finding out more about the program they can contact Brian Buckley of Harvesting Rain at 434-326-2898 or by email at brianbuckley4@yahoo.com.
Somedays we just need to lay down and take a break
Today is Fathers Day and I am taking the day off, I have nothing more to say except:
HAPPY FATHERS DAY to ALL!!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
About The Author
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
I am really sorry to tell you this but your home is not worth what you think it is.
Do you realize that 2005 was 4 years ago?
2005 was when homes like yours were selling over assessed value and sometime in a day. This is not the case anymore.
I know that someone told you your home was worth a lot more, but that was a different time and a different market than now.
I am really sorry but I can not in good conscious list your home for what you want me too.
Here are the comps in the area and the best we can get is almost 50-75K less than where you want to price your home…
Now I know that there are agents out there that will list your home at a higher price, but you will get frustrated and just have to lower the price to get it sold. Or you will just become inventory and you would blame me.
I really do wish you the best of luck, why are you looking at me like that?
——
The above is a true story of a recent listing appointment I had in Charlottesville Virginia.
The seller did get someone to list their home at the higher price.
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
In the late 1800’s (well over a century ago) when you drove around Charlottesville you went by horse and buggy.
The City of Charlottesville decided to install four watering fountains in our downtown area.
These fountains for not just for horse but also for the citizens of Charlottesville and other domestic animals.
The water was fed through these four “fish-like features” to an upper bowl that overflowed and filled the lower trough for animals.
This city water system flowed for many years and a similar one was in front of our courthouse on Jefferson St.
In the year 1926 the Monticello Hotel was built and the fountain was removed.
Fast forward to 2004 and the Charlottesville Volunteer Fire Company and the City of Charlottesville have now restored one of the original four fountains.
A walk through the brick lined street of our town square is like a walk back in time. I hope you enjoy some of the photos I have taken.
We are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful area. We have four season, Blue Ridge Views and the University of Virginia! Sales are starting to pick up in Charlottesville and our year is moving along nicely!
In Charlottesville City we have SOLD 166 HOMES.
There are currently 348 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 142 Days .
Our Average selling price is $280,681.
NOTE: These are just homes in the city of Charlottesville not the county of Albemarle
When you are looking for the right home, visit Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market. This includes Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties like
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
I have been on a little trip and one of my associates and I were just talking on the cell phone about Buyer Agent Bonuses while I was driving through Tennessee…
We both agreed that it is rediculous to offer a "Bonus" to an agent that is already getting a commission. Why not just lower the price…
So here is where it got funny… I got back to my computer (I bring it with me of course) and the very NEXT email I get says….
DON’T MISS OUT ON MORE GREAT SELLING BONUSES!
I just had to laugh!
The funny part is that the agent sending this is a good agent and knows that these things are gimmicks and that the reality is that the price of the homes should just be lowered or give a credit back to the buyers…
My associate and I in Charlottesville Agreed that Real Estate "Bonuses" should just go back to the buyer….
First of all I want to say THANK YOU to all my new clients moving to Charlottesville and to those of you who will be working at the expanded NGIC facility. Also I want to thank the Agents who have referred your client to My Charlottesville Real Estate Group. As you know, my group of RE/MAX experts are always here to help you with anything from New Construction to Rentals, just ask! A little more about NGIC:
Our area is growing to the North with people coming to work at NGIC (National Ground Intelligence Center). There are several agencies that work with NGIC, including and not limited to the CIA, NSA, DIA and FBI. Working at NGIC is an honor and we are pleased to have new members to our community who are coming to work in our area. The NGIC Real Estate market is unique. We have homes from around 200K up to 1 million+. Depending on schools, driving patterns and personal preference will help to determine the best locations for you.
We are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful area. We have four season, Blue Ridge Views and the University of Virginia! Sales are starting to pick up in Charlottesville and our year is moving along nicely!
In Charlottesville City we have SOLD 166 HOMES.
There are currently 348 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 142 Days .
Our Average selling price is $280,681.
NOTE: These are just homes in the city of Charlottesville not the county of Albemarle
When you are looking for the right home, visit Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market. This includes Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties like
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Albemarle County Virginia Real Estate - (YTD June 13, 2009)
When you are looking for Charlottesville Real Estate remember that Charlottesville is in Albemarle County. We have grand estates and horse farms in Albemarle. The back roads will give you a feeling of peace and harmony as you drive by these beautiful properties. When you are ready to tour, just give me a call, it is my favorite thing to do in our area.
(photo taken by Charles McDonald just driving down a country road in Albemarle Virginia…)
Albemarle County Virginia Home Information
The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Charlottesville and Albemarle are no exception. It takes a drive around Albemarle to understand and enjoy the beauty of this area.
In Albemarle we have SOLD 366 HOMES.
There are currently 1106 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 114 Days .
Please visit my website at Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties (Charlottesville REMAX) and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Nelson County Virginia Home Information - (YTD June 13, 2009)
Located just South West of Charlottesville is the incredible county of Nelson. With graceful roadways and the Blue Ridge Parkway Nelson is a truly magical place. The Afton area is truly amazing! We also have Wintergreen Resort for Snow Skiing and great golf! When you are looking for Charlottesville Real Estate remember Nelson County our Southern neighbor! Let’s take a tour together!
(photo taken by Charles McDonald with his family in Nelson County!)
The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Nelson County Virginia is too.
In Nelson we have SOLD 44 HOMES.
There are currently 391 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 173 Days.
Our Average selling price is $360,175.
We have some excellent neighborhoods to see close to Nelson like:
Please visit my website at Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Fluvanna County Virginia Home Information - (YTD June 13, 2009)
Fluvanna County is located South East of Charlottesville. One of the main draws to Fluvanna is the Lake Monticello Area. Here you can get a home on a lake at a great price and the commute to Charlottesville is about 30 minutes on beautiful county roads!
(photo: taken by Charles McDonald at the beach of Lake Monticello, Virginia)
The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Fluvanna County Virginia is too.
In Fluvanna we have SOLD 105 HOMES.
There are currently 374 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 126 Days.
Please visit my website at Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Louisa County Virginia Home Information - (YTD June 13, 2009)
Located within minutes of Charlottesville Virginia the county of Louisa is known for open spaces and country settings. The old saying is true, “Things are less expensive in the county”
(Photo taken of a recent horse farm sale by Charles McDonald)
The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Louisa County Virginia is too. Louisa is just East of Charlottesville with open land and open roads!
You can truly experience country living in Louisa County!
In Louisa we have SOLD 59 HOMES.
There are currently 262 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 92 Days.
Our Average selling price is $229,777.
We have some excellent neighborhoods to see close to Louisa like:
Please visit my website at Charlottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Greene County is just North of Charlottesville and offers beautiful properties at great prices. Greene County is an excellent choice for clients moving to NGIC. See NGIC Real Estate I recently compared the cost of new construction from Greene to Albemarle and was shocked at the difference (my clients are made aware of these comparisons). When you are looking for Charlottesville Real Estate remember Greene County as it is not far from Charlottesville and has some great vistas!!!
(photo is the rear view of one of my recent sale in Greene County) How is that for a read yard view?
The Real Estate market everywhere is constantly changing and Greene County Virginia is too.
In Greene we have SOLD 64 HOMES.
There are currently 223 HOMES on the market.
Our average DOM (Days on the Market) is at 90 Days.
Please visit Charllottesville Real Estate for details about our area and other homes on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the surrounding counties!
Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate
Trader Joe’s fans, rejoice. The California-based grocery chain is coming to Charlottesville.
According to a public notice in today’s Daily Progress, the store is applying for a liquor license with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ABC has confirmed that the application was received on May 21 and is currently undergoing due process.
The store will be located on the stretch of land between Hydraulic Road and Greenbrier Drive.
I have some clients who are going to be very happy about this!
I just received this note below from my clients, This is why I am a REALTOR:
Dear Charles,
Now that our beautiful new home is complete and we are about to move in, we wanted to take the time to thank you for everything you have done to help make this possible.
Your service has gone way beyond anything we could ever have expected, or have ever experienced, from a real estate professional. You spent many hours driving us around Charlottesville, over several different weekend visits, and patiently showed us different neighborhoods and houses.
As we worked together, you figured out what we were looking for, and brought us to the development where we ultimately put an offer on our new house. You expertly helped us with our negotiations with the builder, from the offer stage, while the house was being built, and all the way through settlement.
Since we live 2 hours away, we were comforted by your keeping an eye on the construction for us. You always stayed calm and found solutions to everything and every issue that came up.
We are very excited about our move to Charlottesville, and, again, want to thank you for being there for us every step of the way.
I have to admit I have not decided if this is a good idea or not. I would love to get your feedback on this video and if you think this is a good idea or not?
The comments from the local residents are very interesting…
You can enjoy a delicious southern meal meal, tour the original Tavern and on a cold day warm by the fire!There is a lot to see and you can even learn 18th-century dances on your tour. There is a General Store and everyone wears traditional clothing.
The Meadow Run Grist Mill (ca. 1797) is a site to see. This is where the general store is offering an old mercantile atmosphere.
The Tavern Gift Shop offers a wide selection of historic reproductions and is fun for kids and adults too!<
