Going out to brunch in Charlottesville is a delight as there are numerous options and get locations to choose from. Below are three that you may like! MarieBette Café and Bakery This is bar none most people’s go-to brunch, lunch and anytime destination on Rose Hill Drive, just past the intersection with Preston Avenue – […]
Things I wish I knew before buying my first home
For a first time home buyer, choosing and then buying a new home can be a confusing and somewhat daunting task. Here at Solutions, we’ll help you understand the process and find the home that’s the perfect fit. Know your needs. First, examine your lifestyle. Do you want to be in the country? Would you […]
Charlottesville Area Flooding
IMPORTANT REMINDER If you come to a road with moving/standing water – turn around – do not attempt to go through the water, unseen dangerous conditions are possible. June 2018 stated off with more of the same torrential rain that made the month of May around here a soggy mess. The last week of May, […]
Plug-In Charlottesville
Plug-In Charlottesville So you bought an electric car, now where do you plug it in? It’s comforting to know that at least in the city of Charlottesville there are several locations where you can pull up and plug in your electric car. If you are interested in finding places to fill up outside city limits […]
Pantops Traffic Charlottesville – Is there a Solution?
As any commuter or soccer parent knows, crossing over Pantops in the morning or afternoon, at any time during the week or weekend, takes planning ahead for the inevitable delays and congestion backups at the various traffic lights, especially at the Rt. 20 intersection. Traffic has been a much-discussed topic of conversation for the past […]
Summer in Charlottesville
Summer in Charlottesville Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer and 2018 is rapidly filling up with fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. From farmer’s markets to hiking, tubing and vineyard tasting, to music at various venues around town, there’s truly something for everyone. Farmers Markets Long a favorite as a Saturday morning destination, […]
Where do I buy an investment property in Charlottesville?
Where do I buy an investment property in Charlottesville? Here in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia drives a great deal of the investment property decisions as many investors would like to capture the student/grad student/medical resident market with their choice of property, so location is key. The other areas where investors like to be are […]
Hibiscus and Frost
Hibiscus and Frost My wife and I just lost a Hibiscus to Frost so we thought it was appropriate to write this blog: After the unpredictable winter we’ve experienced this year we know many gardeners and homeowners alike who are trying to get some color going in their gardens right away instead of waiting patiently […]
What Does a Builder’s Warranty Cover?
What Does a Builder’s Warranty Cover? With the boom in new building construction taking place all over Charlottesville – from Crozet to in town and all along the 29 North corridor – many people considering building new might also want to think about what the builder’s warranty will cover after the home is built. Or, […]
Home Buying Tips for Charlottesville VA
Home Buying Tips for Charlottesville VA Springtime typically means warmer temps and blooming flowers in the Charlottesville area, although the start to this year’s spring has been anything but typical with snow showers on the first official day of spring, and interspersed with sunnier days ever since. The market is indeed different from year to […]
Why is home inventory so low?
Why is home inventory so low? Spring is typically the time when new listings are popping up on the market like so many daffodils in a meadow, but this hasn’t been the case for some time. Inventory of available homes on the market is the lowest it’s been in two decades, but the reasons may […]
Should I have a Whole House Generator in Charlottesville?
Should I have a Whole House Generator in Charlottesville? With last Thursday’s strong wind storm knocking out power to much of Central Virginia, as well as up the Northeast corridor, many home owners are asking if having a whole house generator is the right choice for them. Memories of the 2012 derecho and recent hurricane […]
Spring in Charlottesville Virginia
Cherry trees, winter jasmine and daffodils are already dotting the Charlottesville streets with color as we look at the last days of February and peek into March. Daylight Savings time starts at 2 am on Sunday, March 11, and Spring officially begins this year on March 20. Residents and visitors alike know what’s coming – Charlottesville is beyond compare […]
Design House Charlottesville Virginia
What is Design House? In 2009, the Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE) celebrated its 30th anniversary, and a vision for establishing a major fundraising event to help sustain the Shelter’s residential facilities operations and outreach in the greater Charlottesville community was established. The idea for a Design House to benefit SHE had its roots […]
We Buy Homes for Cash – Seller Beware
We Buy Homes for Cash (Seller Beware) You have seen these signs on telephone poles, but what exactly are they all about? Can they be legitimate? Maybe you’ve received a flyer in the mail that promises investors will buy your house – in any condition – and for all cash. Some of these signs say […]
Livability – 5 best places to live in Charlottesville
With a population now hovering around 44,500 and often the subject of Top Ten lists nation and world, the city of Charlottesville has a lot to offer locals and transplants alike. Greenbrier takes Number 1 spot According to a recent look at the five best places to live in Charlottesville, ranked by their livability scores, […]
Charlottesville Halloween
Charlottesville Halloween Although Halloween decorations made their appearance in grocery stores around town back in late August, now is the time when people have finished decorating their yards and getting ready for a fun annual tradition in Charlottesville, even though it’s on a Tuesday evening this year. JMRL- Gordon Avenue On Friday, October 27, at 10:30 am, come […]
A Tour Around Charlottesville
A tour around our Charlottesville area Afton Afton straddles Albemarle and Nelson counties, and is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 20 miles west of Charlottesville. Its highest elevation is 1,362 feet and one of the most beautiful vistas of the area can be seen at the lookout at the top […]
Welcome to Crozet
Welcome to Crozet The community of Crozet began as a whistle stop on the Chesapeake and Ohio (C & O) Railroad that was established at the request of the Miller Manual Labor School (the Miller School), which had been founded a year earlier. Originally called “Wayland’s Crossing,” it was renamed in 1870 in honor of […]
Rivanna Trail around Charlottesville
Rivanna Trail around Charlottesville Here in Charlottesville, we have a true example of what happens when volunteers get together and work on a community project – the Rivanna Trail around the city. The Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1992 by area citizens with a dream to create a trail system […]
Ivy Creek Natural Area
One of our area’s greatest treasures is the Ivy Creek Natural Area (ICNA), a 215-acre preserve bordering the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, which is located off Earlysville Road – just down the road from the Rock Store on the way to the Reservoir. Long a destination for those who really enjoy a walk in the […]
Open Houses – How Effective are They Really?
When it comes to listing your home, the idea of an “Open House” will most likely come up in a conversation with your listing agent. When the weather turns from Winter to Spring and Summer, newspapers and signs start appearing promoting the latest Open House opportunity – usually on a Sunday – but they’re not always the […]
Jumping into Early Possession can be Risky
Early Possession – Is It a Good or Bad Idea? In a perfect world, moving into a new home is seamless for both the Seller and Buyer, and possession of a home typically transfers from the Seller to Buyer at closing. But, when you factor in such events as the Buyer also selling a home […]
Drones and Real Estate
Drones and Real Estate More and more these days, if you’re outside in a lovely spot admiring the view you might notice a steady buzzing noise also accompanying the peace and quiet and wonder, “What the heck is that annoying sound?” Welcome to the age of the drone – now, more than ever, they’re being […]
Charlottesville Real Estate Market Timing
Charlottesville Real Estate Market – Hot or Cold? As many of you know, the Spring market here in the Charlottesville area was hopping! With low inventory, there were many occasions when a house would come on the market and have several offers within a few hours and go under contract not long after. This can be […]
Fourth of July Charlottesville Virginia
Fourth of July events around the Charlottesville Area The United States of America is celebrating its 241st Birthday this year and 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 Saturday, July 1, in Crozet […]
Private Schools near Charlottesville
Private Schools near Charlottesville Our area has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. For those who feel like they want their children to be in an atmosphere that offers the smaller class size not commonly seen these days in the public school systems – both city and county – there is a slew […]
Summer in Charlottesville Virginia
Summer in Charlottesville Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer it is rapidly filling up with fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. From farmer’s markets to hiking, tubing and vineyard tasting, to music at various venues around town, there’s truly something for everyone. Farmers Markets Long a favorite as a Saturday morning […]
New Charlottesville County Schools on the horizon?
The Charlottesville/Albemarle County area has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. This has led to some growing pains for the county schools, in particular, Albemarle High School, and many developers are taking that into account, especially in the popular Rt. 29 North corridor. As of Sept. 2016, Albemarle High School had a […]
How to Sell Your Home to Baby Boomers
Last week, we talked about what Millennials are looking for in a home, but now it’s time to look at Baby Boomers and see if their needs are changing. This group spans two decades, from 1946 to 1964, with the oldest nearing 70, and the youngest just passing AARP’s 50-year threshold. More than one-third are […]
