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 […]
Getting your Yard ready for Spring in Charlottesville Despite the appearance of snow flurries around the area today, Spring is one of the most important times to perform maintenance to your lawn. Winter weather can leave your grass, shrubs and trees weak and hungry, especially after months of lying dormant. By following the steps below […]
Albemarle County is a county located in the central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is situated in the Piedmont region of the state and encompasses an area of approximately 726 square miles (1,881 km²). The county was named after the 2nd Earl of Albemarle, who was then Governor of Virginia from 1737-1749. Albemarle […]
Charlottesville, VA is a charming and historic city located in the central part of the state, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is known for its rich history, beautiful natural surroundings, and vibrant cultural scene. One of the most notable attractions in Charlottesville is the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas […]
With the first snow of the winter season in early December, drivers in the Charlottesville area had their first quick taste of the winter to come – one that was confirmed with the most recent snowfall this past weekend. The winter season can be hard on vehicles, which is why it’s important drivers prepare […]
Why Buy A Charlottesville Home in Fall/Winter? In a place where spring is one of the most beautiful seasons of all, it makes sense that our Charlottesville real estate market is also incredibly busy during that time – with homes often selling within hours or days of coming on the market after fielding several contracts […]
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 […]
With Labor Day behind us, 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 […]
Should I buy? Should I rent? How do I get Financing? Who can I trust? What is Dual Agency? Questions, Questions, Questions…. there are a lot of questions and you have just found a resource for all the answers. Working with First Time Buyers is very rewarding for me as I get to help you […]
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 […]
Protect Yourself and your Money PLEASE READ if any questions, DO NOT WIRE FUNDS. 1. Your Charlottesville Solutions Agent does not collect any money, for any reason, from clients. 2. Any funds, including deposits, should be sent directly to your closing company/attorney. 3. Clients should phone their closing company/attorney directly to verify all wiring instructions. THE SCAM: There […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fall Cleaning Ideas It’s time to turn our thoughts towards fall projects as we get ready once again for the winter months here in Charlottesville. Below are some common projects for inside and outside a home that will help make it cozy as you start to spend more time indoors. Wash all windows. This is […]
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 […]
With the lack of resale housing inventory in our area for the past few years, many Buyers are turning to the idea of purchasing some land and building their own home. But, what are some of the things you may need to look out for, and the right questions to ask (known as “due diligence”), […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Back To School Charlottesville 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 the […]
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 […]
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 […]
