OK, I am going to make a suggestion… Strongly! I just closed on a Charlottesville Home and one of the first things that I discuss with my clients is the locks. You see a person who buys a home is always excited to get the keys to their new home but they come with a […]
Even though it feels like we have had nothing but rain since the beginning of the year – with the odd snow shower here and there mixed in – yesterday’s sunshine revealed that bulbs are beginning to sprout in gardens around town and a few cherry trees have already started to bloom in rich deep […]
Declutter Regret When it comes to getting your home ready to list, we always recommend “decluttering” to help Buyers envision the house with their own furniture and personal items. We do not, however, recommend that our Sellers toss everything out in their anxiety to make their home as “show ready” as possible as it’s hard […]
Charlottesville Staging Don’ts Here is a list of Staging Don’t for getting a home ready to sell: Use inexpensive silk flowers. Nothing distracts buyers more that silk flowers that are past their time, inappropriate for the season or thrown together. Throw them out, now. Forget to upgrade Fido’s bowl. I’ve experienced more unhealthy pet food bowls, […]
Happy New Year from Charlottesville Solutions to all our friends, clients and co-workers. 2020 is going to be an exciting year and we have many new features on our site coming your way. Explore when you have time. Below is one of our Favorite New Years Celebrations in Charlottesville. Enjoy! First Night Virginia (FNV) is […]
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a time to remember friends, family and other that are less fortunate than we are. I recently was at the Good Will store in Charlottesville and was pleasantly surprised to see a line of cars waiting to drop off items. This is a great time to […]
Thanksgiving in Charlottesville 2018 Once again we have arrived at the time of year that reminds everyone to slow down from all the rush of the holidays and enjoy a meal with family and friends and think of ways to be thankful. This year, Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, Nov. 28. Although history has shown […]
Our thoughts often turn to decluttering our lives in order to have a fresh start, and that includes where we live. With the new trend of “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” in our minds, it’s often difficult to know where to begin. Downsizing and moving can be both stressful and exciting. It’s also the perfect […]
Doing Good in Charlottesville – Local Partnerships Raise Awareness Here in Charlottesville, we love to hear when local businesses pair with larger ones to help out the community. Last week, we heard the news that a Charlottesville-area nonprofit is celebrating a new partnership with big retail company. Big Lots held a grand opening for its new […]
Last week we heard the welcome news that Charlottesville is considered “the happiest place in the country to retire,” according to a new ranking by Washington, D.C., based publisher Kiplinger. We have topped many Top Ten lists before, but our area has seen an increase in recent years in the numbers of seniors coming from […]
With Labor Day this weekend, and the end of summer quickly approaching, the summer heat and outside activities have taken a toll on your home. If your house has been on the market this summer, or you are about to put it on the market, follow these tips to ensure your home is in tip-top […]
This summer has been a long, hot and rainy one, so homeowners are probably understandably too exhausted to think about all the late-summer garden chores that need to be done before the chilly weather kicks in once again. While spring is the time to plant new plants and seedlings and summer the right time to […]
Back To School Charlottesville 2019 It seems like only yesterday that local kids were getting out of school for the summer holidays, and now, school has already begun in Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties, and will begin this week for Charlottesville, Albemarle, Monticello and Western on Wednesday, August 21. UVA will also get in on […]
Sellers often ask us for tips on how to keep their home “show ready” when they are on the market. With busy lives, kids that need to get to school in the morning, pets that need walking, etc., it’s tough to keep up with getting ready for that last minute showing. Here are some great […]
July 2019 has now been declared the hottest July on record – people all over the U.S. have been affected by incredibly hot temperatures and extreme weather patterns. But, how does this same weather affect your home? While we all know how winter weather can affect our homes – from burst pipes to HVAC systems […]
Your air conditioning system has many moving parts that need to be serviced on a regular basis to keep it working reliably, safely and efficiently. You don’t want to be stuck on the hottest day this summer waiting for the service technician (during their busiest time) to come fix your air conditioning unit, when a […]
Many Sellers think selling a home is a decision to make on the spur of the moment while they’re doing their grocery shopping. There are a number of issues they need to consider before sticking that for-sale sign in their yard. Here at Solutions, we can help you decide whether the timing is truly right […]
As we head into the remaining weeks before school starts again, many local families are wondering how to keep their kids occupied for the last few days of summer. People are already coming back from vacations and heading back to work and are looking for fun ways to keep summer going for as long as […]
How to Stay Cool in Charlottesville During the Summer Humid and hot summer days here in Charlottesville make it necessary for everyone to think outside the box when it comes to ways to stay cool. Movie anyone? For some, it can mean a trip to the movies – with Paramount showing some classics – – […]
July 1 – New Laws summary The 2019 General Assembly Session ran from January 9 to February 23, 2019, and over 3,100 bills were introduced. After Virginia REALTORS® reviewed all of the legislation that was introduced, the Public Policy Committee took active positions on 138 bills and actively monitored another 96 for any potential impacts […]
Fourth of July events around the Charlottesville Area The United States of America is celebrating its 243nd Birthday this year and we’re pleased to see many of our surrounding communities, including the city of Charlottesville, are planning fun celebrations. Here’s a short round up of what’s available. Crozet The July 4th weekend will start on […]
It seems like we can’t go a week without some sort of substantial rainfall these days. In areas where there has been a drought this has not been an issue as they are grateful to have it, but in areas where the soil is already saturated problems are cropping up. If rainwater collects in your […]
With all the recent rain in Virginia lately, not to mention the damaging flooding in the Mid- and Southwest, a homeowner’s mind naturally turns to thoughts of what to do if it happens to you? One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood. There are […]
When faced with knowing you need to remodel your home, actually beginning the project sometimes can end up being pushed back time and time again because it’s difficult to know when is the best time to begin and what makes the most sense in adding value to your home. Decisions can lead to new dilemmas, […]
Putting in a new bathroom can be costly, so you’ll want to be sure that it delivers. Although that striking freestanding tub or statement tile may be all the fashion today, it’s the layout that largely determines how well the space works and whether you can get a great return on your investment. What are […]
Many Home Buyers believe the physical characteristics of a house will lead to increased property value. But, in reality, a property’s physical structure tends to depreciate over time, while the land it sits on typically appreciates in value. Although this distinction may not appear to be much, understanding how prospective land values influence property returns […]
Owning a home comes with many benefits, as well as responsibilities. From housework to decorations and even renovating, we all need to make constant upgrades to add value to our home and make it more comfortable. There are a number of things, however, that might not yet be on your radar, but these will help […]
(Updated May 6, 2019) While the city of Charlottesville’s tax rate has remained steady, Albemarle County’s just increased from 83.9 to 85.4 cents per $100 of assessed value. Our City and local Counties set their own tax rates and then you pay your taxes based on the assessed value of your property at these rates. […]
Have you ever wondered how much you would have to earn to be able to afford in a home in your area? And, how does this compare to other areas around the country? The Salary Needed to Buy a Home in 50 U.S. Metro Areas Here in the greater Charlottesville area, the latest first quarter […]
Dogwoods and redbuds are in full bloom after the recent rains and spring is once again here in Charlottesville. One could argue there really isn’t a prettier place to be than in this area for spring – neighborhood streets boast a riot of colors, from small plants to bushes and trees that drape over the […]
