The Virginia Farm Bureau kicked off a super new program called "Save Our Food" today right here in Charlottesville at the Meade Park Farmer's Market - one of several weekly markets in Charlottesville and Albemarle.The Save Our Food Campaign is a push to get people to buy produce locally: food from our own region is fresher, less expensive and more earth friendly!Find out more about this great cause that benefits farmers, consumers, the community and the planet! 08/06/2008

I don't grill much because my children are vegetarians and I eat meat only very rarely, but this yarn from the New York Times about the writer putting together his new "gas" grill had me laughing.  Anybody who has ever bought something which "requires assembly" can relate! Meawhile, mark your calendars for Charlottesville's 12th Annual Vegetarian Fesitval.  When I first moved here in 1995, this event was just getting going with 3 display booths and one falafel vendor on the amphitheater end of the Downtown Mall.  Now it is huge! The food is yummy - it is hard to choose.  My girls and I stopped by for an hour last year and somehow came home dog owners, courtesy of Fluvanna County's Animal Connections...so be forewarned: the petting opportunities are irresistable! Charlottesville has an e... 08/06/2008

The first piece of Real Estate I ever "invested" in was a one bedroom garden style co-op apartment in the New York City suburbs, about an hour north of Manhattan.   I bought wisely after the bubble burst up there in 1990.  The apartment I purchased for the bargain price of $92,500 had at one point been sold for as much as $118,000...so I was getting a great deal!  I scraped together exactly $42,000, a huge sum for a 26 year old, thanks to Mom's generosity, all the birthday money I ever got in my life, ever,  plus the remains of a small inheritance (I spent the other portion of the inheritance on a red Acura Integra: a choice anybody who ever drove the original Integra will understand). Fast forward four years later: in 1994,  I was married, a business owner and hoping to relocate to bea... 08/05/2008

We live in a great little city, but often, we forget to take advantage of what life in Charlottesville has to offer, so for those who still want to squeak every moment of pleasure out of the remaining two-three weeks of summer - school starts very early in Albemarle - here are three of my favorites things about summertime in Cville! Fresh Produce:  get it now: it is abundant and yummy! I get most of mine from Horse and Buggy Produce, a weekly local veggie coop ( ok - they also sell meat and more ,) but for those of you who did not subscribe H&B or some other Charlottesville area CSA this year, do not forget the Charlottesville City Market, Saturday mornings through October.  There is also a Farmers Market in Crozet and a new one this year up at Forest Lakes.The Thomas Jefferson Parkway ... 08/04/2008

Judith Warner of the New York Times, blogged this week about Affluenza.My thoughts after reading Warner's post tended to questions of the bloating of the American home in an era when a growing proportion of the population faces "housing insecurity" following the mortgage crisis and the economic downturn. Is the over-sized American home another symptom of Affluenza? Did the Mcmansion cause the lack of adequate housing for working folk?? Probably not, but to my mind, the Affluenza Warner describes is part of a larger ill in which the haves and have nots in this nation grow farther apart and the working middle class loses its foothold on security.In a community such as Charlottesville-Albemarle, blessed by a stable underlying economy, the advantages of a University town and all the attenda... 08/03/2008

Conventional Wisdom would dictate that I employ this forum towards the goal of improving my quite mediocre SEO, positioning myself as one of two things:1) a "real estate expert" , adding my voice to the conversation about the state of the economy, the national and local real estate markets, development, expansion, water supply etc....All worthy topics, but in truth, Jim Duncan does an excellent job of covering that ground, as does my colleague and friend, Keith Davis, and Brian Wheeler contributes over at Charlottesville Tomorrow.2) a folksy anecdotalist, regaling you with heart warming yarns about my life, my children, or the beauty of Albemarle County, all the while stuffing my posts with keywords and links aimed at pleasing the gods of Google ( whom I respect enormously of course). U... 08/03/2008

The government's newly enacted legislation offers home buyers a $7500 tax credit. This credit is available for first-time home buyers only. (Haven't bought a new home in the past 3 years).* The maximum credit amount is $7,500.* The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. * Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 * Married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.Combine with my 20% Buyer Rebate Offer: GoTo http://www.BuyerRebateOffer.com talking about the BEST TIME TO BUY Charlottesville real estate!!1. Corrected housing prices on Charlottesville homes for sale2. Government tax incentive3. Large selection of homes to choose from4. 20% Buyer Cash Back Offer! For more information and discussion:Fulton Gaylor... 08/02/2008

In the Charlottesville, Virginia area we still have a buyer's market.  The number of homes sold in July of 2008 is down in comparison with the number of homes sold in July of 2007.  The following is the market report of the sales of detached homes in July for Albemarle County. In July of 2008 64 homes were under contingent contract for an average list price of $433,469, a median price of $391,700 and an average days on market of 116.There were 16 homes pending at an average price of $451,513, a median price of $489,500 and 11 days on the market.77 homes sold in July for an average sales price of $521,194, and a median price of $438,000 after an average of 134 days on the market.  These homes sold for an average of 93.75% of the list price.At this time there are 708 detached homes active... 08/01/2008

I had the pleasure of meeting with Paul Pence, yesterday.  What a great guy!  Paul and his dad are owners of Colonial Structures, Inc., out of Winston-Salem, NC.  They're building cedar log homes in Charlottesville, VA! Have you seen these homes?  W-O-W !    I didn't know: 1. Cedar log homes can save you as much as 45% on your heating bills and 2. 24% on cooling when compared to a conventional home (according to a recent study by the Bureau of Standards, Wshington, DC.). With the cost of energy going through the roof, those two claims alone would make you wanna' take a look (if the pictures didn't get you already!) 3.  Cedar--Northern White Cedar is a remarkable wood. Only cork can equal its insulating quality.  Northern White Cedar has both the highest R-factor and greatest thermal mas... 08/01/2008

I hate to be a naysayer, but they say fear is a bigger motivator than any hope for gain.  And I really feel someone should tell you to get movin' and buy a home, now!  No, I know, no one can time a market, and we're all aware the housing market stinks right now.  It's all fear and loathing and doom and gloom in Charlottesville and the rest of the country, right? Well, I'm going on the record right now--this is THE time to buy.  Is it the "best" time?  Probably not.  But if you have a housing need, whether it be to live in, or to invest, now, rather than later, is THE time.  I'll try not to say "I told you so" next year at this time. Why? Have we bottomed out?  I don't know.  I can only talk intelligently about today, yesterday, and back into antiquity--backed with a voluminous amount of... 08/01/2008

O.K., I thought I'd mix it up a little bit and in the process alienate my fellow Realtors and anger my constituents all for apparently no good reason.  Ahh, but let's examine this topic further and you'll see there's method to my maddness!  There's too much inventory, and some of these homes need to move!  So, let's take a look at Charlottesville's Top 10 Homes That Aren't Selling and ask, why? PRICE: The first thing to understand is the ONLY reason homes don't sell, is PRICE. LOCATION: But what about the age old saying "Location, location, location"?  Location is a function of price. As is condition, age, # of bedrooms, size--every one of the components that make up the home you buy is in direct relationship to price.  Now granted, on an individual home there is always going to be vari... 08/01/2008

The Albemarle County Fair is the place to be this week.  The fair, which is located in Albemarle County outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, runs Tuesday July 29 through Sunday August 3 and offers something for everyone. County fairs started out as a way for farmers to celebrate and showcase their homegrown products.  As the area becomes more urban and less agricultural the Albemarle County Fair is changing to keep pace with the changing face of the community.  There will still be the traditional displays of produce and farm animals, a hot dog eating contest and craft demonstrations, but some new events are included to appeal to a more modern community as well.  These new additions include a llama competition, and competitions for home brewers and wine makers.  Of course, the fair will... 07/28/2008

Charlottesville, Virginia has been rated, by AARP the Magazine, the 7th healthiest city in the United States in which to retire.   This is one more kudo for the city of Charlottesville which has appeared on many national lists of best cities. This latest ranking was acheived as a result of the city's focus on medicine and the presence of the University of Virginia Hospital and Medical School.  According to the magazine, Charlottesville ranks fourth in the ratio of doctors per person.  In addition, the city boasts content residents, healthy eaters, and many opportunities for outdoor excercise. To read the article as reported in Charlottesville's Daily Progress click here. The Charlottesville, Virginia communtiy offers many real estate options if you are thinking about relocating.  Whethe... 07/26/2008

First Time Home Buyers BEWARE! I have had quite a few clients in this market that are first time home buyers and it's great!  I love helping people find their dream home.  There is nothing better than sitting at a closing table with my clients when they sign that last page of the HUD and the home is theirs!  What a great day!  I get all emotional FOR them. :)  I have, however, noticed that a couple of mortgage companies, primarily retail banks more so than independent brokers, that are trying to take first time home buyers to the cleaners... I understand the mortgage industry is floundering around like a ship without it's harbor, but are they REALLY trying to make ALL of theirmonth's income on one poor client?!  Do these mortgage professionals think first time home buyers are easy picki... 07/23/2008

Over the next 5 years the city of Charlottesville, Virginia plans to spend nearly $550,000 each year on urban tree preservation and city trail and greenway development, according to the Daily Progress.  Mike Svetz, the director of Charlottesville's Parks and Recreation estimates that the city has a tree canopy of about 34% with a goal of increasing the canopy to 40%.  Tree canopies reduce urban heat, improve air quality and prevent erosion. Walking trails are increasingly becoming a desirable urban amenity.  The city of Charlottesville currently has about 8.5 miles of trails outside of the Rivanna trail sustem.  A goal has been set to build an additional 10 miles of trails by 2015.  To quote the Daily Progress "construction of all proposed trails is planned to begin by 2011, with many s... 07/23/2008

Just because the closing went smoothly and everything is perfect in Mayberry, your work isn't over yet. You just made a huge leap into homeownership and the work has just started. Below are is a small list of things that can help you stay on track now that you own your own home...   Give your mortgage an annual once over If the last time you looked at your mortgage was when you closed on your loan, it's time to take it out for an annual once over. New loan programs and opportunities to leverage your home equity can bring you lower mortgage payments and new investment opportunities. Is a fixed rate mortgage the best choice for you? Many of us opt for the certainty of a 20 year or 30 year fixed rate mortgage when we get our first mortgage. If you anticipate selling your home within the ne... 07/22/2008

How Is Your FICO? You may pride yourself on your high credit score, but have you checked it lately? Unfortunately, bad credit scores happen, and sometimes it is through no fault of your own. A credit card company or department store may make a mistake recording one of your payments. Or you may have fallen pray to identity theft! Your score can take a dive when you are not looking and this can cost you thousands. It is your responsibility to monitor your credit, continue good financial habits and report any fraudulent activity.             If your score is not so great, right now is the time to start repairing it. Why? Because with a good score, you may get better rates on loans, insurance and credit cards to name a few. It will also save you money in the long run. Potential employers so... 07/22/2008

Renouned blues artist B.B. King is coming to Charlottesville, Virginia on August 6.  The concert which is sponsored by the Charlottesville Albemarle Association of Realtors to benefit the workforce housing fund will be held at the Charlottesville Pavillion at the east end of the downtown pedestrian mall.  One of B.B. King's best known songs is The Thrill is Gone.  The Workforce Housing Fund is set up to help provide downpayment assistance to Charlottesville's workforce to enable them to purchase homes in the area where they work.  The workforce is considered to be firemen, policemen, teachers and healthcare workers.  The fund is administered by the Piedmont Housing Alliance. To purchase tickets click here. For information on real estate and life in Charlottesville, Virginia and the surr... 07/22/2008

These days with energy prices so high, many are turning to "Green" building in hopes of reducing our environmental footprint (and to ease the strain on our pocket books!).  Today, homes with the "Green" label areone of the few hot trends in an otherwise morbid real estate industry and builders are jumping on board!  This has given some builders a much-needed niche, but it's spurring others to apply the term with very little to back it up - a problem that is being termed "greenwashing" and it is spreading throughout the building industry like wildfire. This has been a common complaint from both real estate professional and builders alike and advocates fear that the ever-more-widespread use of "green" confuses and misleads the public.  "Some of these builders are putting that on as a tagl... 07/20/2008

Right now is a great market for first time home buyers!  Interest rates are still low and home prices are plummeting.  If you have been renting all this time, now is your time to buy.  Wouldn't you rather have your monthly rent payment every month going toward equity in your home rather than into someone else's pocket?  Well...here is some advice to help you start your journey to home ownership.  Also, check out my site at nakedrealestate.org.  There you will find lots of useful information regarding the path to ownership as well.    First and foremost, you need to find a good mortgage professional who will take care of you and explain the mortgage process rather than fleece you.  Some mortgage brokers/loan officers see first time home buyers as targets because they can make more money ... 07/20/2008