Should I replace my windows? How will you know it’s time to think about changing your home’s windows? The best indication is on rainy days, oftentimes your windows will start to show you that they are nearing the end of their useful life, or just in need of some repairs, if you notice condensation or […]
2018 Parade of Homes Charlottesville
2018 Parade of Homes The 55th Annual Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (BRHBA) Parade of Homes is scheduled to take place the first two weekends in October, 6 & 7 and 13 & 14, from noon to 5 pm each day. All Parade homes, neighborhoods and design centers will be open and free to the […]
Generation Z and Home Buying
Generation Z and Home Buying Most members of Gen Z – born between 1994 and 2005 and now 23 and younger – expect to own their first home by age 28 – three years younger than the median age of first-time homeowners; and another nearly 100,000 already own a home. By contrast Gen Y – […]
How to stay cool in Charlottesville
How to stay cool in Charlottesville Summer in Charlottesville runs the gamut from warm rainy days to several humid and really hot days in a row with afternoon thunderstorms to top off and alleviate the sweltering hours just before. Residents always know to carry an umbrella in their car just in case, drink plenty of […]
Are Mortgage Points a Good Idea?
Are Mortgage Points a Good Idea? When it comes to deciding on what type of loan you will need to purchase a house, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with as much information as possible. One topic that comes up time and again is buying mortgage points and whether they can save you in […]
Space Saving Tips for a Small Kitchen
Space Saving Tips for a Small Kitchen in Charlottesville The kitchen is the heart of the home – a well-designed one has minimal clutter and maximum efficiency, but when you are working with a small kitchen it’s doubly important to use the space well. Add mirrors Mirrors add the illusion of space – if you […]
2018 Home Design Ideas – Charlottesville VA
2018 Home Design Ideas Have you ever wondered what designers are thinking when they come up with the latest “It” color or other such trends for the season? For example, on some sites, lavender and lilac are being touted as the new colors for 2018, taking over from millennial pink, which vaguely resembles Pepto-Bismol. Below […]
Myths about Selling your home
Myths about Selling your home When it comes to thinking about selling your home it can feel like you’re all of a sudden getting a ton of unsolicited advice from everyone – your neighbor, best friend, or even from the evening news or online. So, what’s the best way to sort out what is truly […]
Charlottesville Real Estate – CAAR 2018 Second Quarter Market Report
Charlottesville Real Estate – CAAR 2018 Second Quarter Market Report Our Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors has just released the latest real estate market report showing stats for sales in our area, 2018 2nd Quarter. This report comes out Quarterly and gives us a good idea of the current Real Estate Market in the greater Charlottesville Area. The specifics are […]
How to Clean Out Your Closet
If you are contemplating putting your house on the market, or just need a fresh new beginning, now would be a perfect time to re-evaluate your wardrobe and make room for new, seasonal pieces. Cleaning out your closet can seem like a daunting task. Getting rid of your clothes, even if you haven’t worn them […]
Minimal Cost Kitchen Upgrades That Will Increase the Value of Your Home
Minimal Cost Kitchen Upgrades That Will Increase the Value of Your Home The kitchen is the room where you spend most of your time, so are there cheerful and cost effective ways to update the space without gutting it (or your wallet) to get a whole new look? We have some great tips for you. […]
Fourth of July Charlottesville 2018
Fourth of July events around the Charlottesville Area The United States of America is celebrating its 242nd 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 […]
The top places for Brunch in Charlottesville
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 2018 in Charlottesville
Summer 2018 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 […]
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 […]
Charlottesville Real Estate – CAAR 2018 First Quarter Market Report
Charlottesville Real Estate – CAAR 2018 First Quarter Market Report Our Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors has just released the latest real estate market report showing stats for sales in our area, 2018 1st Quarter. This report comes out Quarterly and gives us a good idea of the current Real Estate Market in the greater Charlottesville Area. The specifics are […]
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 2018
Home Buying Tips for 2018 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 year, […]
Should You Buy in a Gated Community?
Should You Buy in a Gated Community? We have already looked at the pros and cons of buying a home in a neighborhood that has a Homeowner’s Association. Let’s now look at homes that go one step further – those that are located in a gated community. A gated community is a collection of homes […]
Why some Real Estate Deals Fail
When you’re in the middle of the buying process, there are several things that can crop up that might throw a monkey wrench in the works – also known as “deal killers.” Despite the recent pickup in spring sales activity, the tough lending climate continues to kick up obstacles for both Buyers and Sellers — […]
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 2018 – Charlottesville VA
Spring 2018 – Charlottesville VA 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 […]
Virginia Festival of the Book 2018 – Charlottesville VA
Virginia Festival of the Book 2018 – Charlottesville VA If you hear a buzz of excitement on the Downtown Mall and around town this time of year, you know it’s almost time once again for the Virginia Festival of the Book (VFB), which celebrates its 24th anniversary this year! The annual Festival will be held March […]
Interest Rates are Rising – What does this mean for you?
Interest Rates are Rising – What does this mean for you? As of Feb. 9, mortgage interest rates were moving up, though not to the point where they are expected to dampen the demand for home ownership or curtail the strength of the U.S. housing market. The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbed to […]
