The resurgence of low-down financing seems dangerous on the surface. However, since the 2008 recession, things have drastically changed, including requirements regarding down payments. What’s different this time? According to Karen Dowell of Real Estate Solutions (www.karendowell.com), the primary difference is the underwriting criteria. Although there are still some low credit score types of programs […]
As Executive Vice-President of the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (BRHBA), Kristin O’Connell Sorokti might be expected to think that Central Virginia is “a very, very good place” for homebuilders and home improvement buffs. But O’Connell doesn’t ask us to take her word for it. O’Connell invites us to see for ourselves. The BRHBA shows it […]
Experienced REALTORS® will tell you it’s critical to price a property appropriately from the get-go. Research shows overpricing a home and then dropping the price several times often leads to a final selling price that’s less than what you originally should have asked. In fact, the longer a property stays on the market, the lower […]
“Mature and young trees as well as herbaceous shrubs and fruiting species add value and curb appeal to most properties,” declares REALTOR® Sara Greenfield. The founder of Charlottesville Fine Homes and Properties, her college degree was in Forest Management and Outdoor Education. Greenfield explains she was very specific about leaving mature oak, maple, and elm trees […]
It’s an online world these days, but here in Central Virginia we still love books. We still love books a lot. See us read. See us hold a book festival. See us celebrate reading, literacy, and literary culture with five days of events for print and language lovers on every level and with every taste, from Dick […]
“Kitchens have historically served as a gathering place for friends and family, originally because it was usually the warmest place in the house,” observes REALTOR® Janet Matthews, founder of Charlottesville Town and Country. “The open floor plans that are prevalent today help with creating space and make the kitchen much more visible and integrated in […]
Virginia’s diverse and vibrant economy includes substantial urban areas, but the dominant industry continues to be agriculture, which provides in excess of 300,000 jobs and adds over $50 billion annually to our economy. Virginia has relied on agriculture from the time of the earliest colonists who cultivated food crops to feed their families. Eventually they […]
According to the National Association of Home Builders, windows are the most common building component homeowners employ to improve the energy efficiency of their home. On the other hand, Consumer Reports points that even with energy savings, it will take many years to recoup the cost of replacing existing windows. Still, new windows can spiff […]
Traditionally spring is the time of year when many people put their homes on the market, and buyers come out to see what is available. There are many reasons for this. The holidays are over, the air is warmer and landscapes are alive with blooming plants and trees. Children are still in school in the […]
As a homeowner, one of your challenges is figuring out ways to reduce your regular monthly bills. These continuous expenses can leave a big hole in your monthly budget, essentially leaving you with less money to invest for the future, and even less money to spend on more leisure pleasures. When you find yourself short […]