While many farms and businesses around the Charlottesville area were concerned about the dearth of rain here in August, the local wineries were beyond happy as dry weather just before harvest was exactly what was needed to stave off disease and help ripen the fruit to peak perfection. The 2015 vintage here began wet, with […]
Walking Trails in Charlottesville
We recently talked about Charlottesville’s Walk Score, which, a few years ago, named us the most walkable city in Virginia, and now we have some more information for our Solutions audience on many of the lovely walking/hiking/biking/running trails that circle in and around the city. Charlottesville Parks and Recreation, according to their website, maintains nearly […]
UVA Housing Options
“The students are coming back!” You know summer around here has officially ended when this phrase starts getting used more and more around the Charlottesville area as the city prepares itself once again for the latest round of UVa students for the new school year ahead. Opening Day is this coming weekend – starting Friday, […]
How to Get your House Sold
We often get asked by Sellers, when the inventory is as low as it has been recently, about pricing strategy. After all, Charlottesville has captured national attention because of its desirability as THE place to live – whether you work or retire here – and so Sellers can pretty much ask any price they want, […]
What is PMI?
Here at Solutions, we often get asked lots of questions by first time homebuyers about all the acronyms that get thrown around by lenders when preparing an offer. For one example, what is PMI? Basically, it’s a protection for a lender. When your down payment is less than 20%, you usually have to pay for […]
Do I need a Home Humidifier?
Many people know that using humidifiers is a great idea when the weather outside starts turning colder, although it’s hard to imagine that in the summer here in the Charlottesville area when the last thing on your mind is to add moisture inside a home when it’s so hot and sweaty outside. During the colder […]
Charlottesville Solutions Moving Checklist
The arrival of summer at Solutions also heralds the sight of moving trucks in many neighborhoods across the area. In fact, this year, the weekend of June 27 & 28 was recently named the “busiest weekend of the year” by several local moving companies. Many people take advantage of this time of year, when […]
Easy Ways to Get Ready for Summer
Here at Solutions, we know summer has truly begun as school is out and house projects start to beckon. Here are a few things to do (both inside and outside your home) to best usher in the summer months and also help you get the most use out of your backyard for entertaining and/or a […]
What is an Escrow Money Deposit and Who Holds it?
Here at Solutions, we often get asked by First Time Home Buyers, “What is an Escrow Money Deposit (EMD), and why do you need it?” In short, during the purchase offer stage, it’s like a deposit that a Buyer puts down to show that they’d like to purchase a property in good faith. An EMD […]
What is the Title Insurance, and Why is it Important?
Here at Solutions, we are often asked by our Buyer clients why they need title insurance and, when they order it, what’s involved in the process. Buying a home is a long, complex transaction. Title insurance is an important part since it insures and assures the Buyer that all liens placed against the prior owners […]
Do I Need a Home Inspection?
Here at Solutions, we often get asked by our new clients if they really need a home inspection when buying a home. As Virginia is a “Caveat Emptor,” or “Buyer Beware,” state, it’s really the only way to see if the home has any defects or hidden issues as most Buyers don’t have the necessary […]
It’s Summertime – cue up Fridays After Five!
Longtime residents and visitors alike know that when the weather gets warmer in Charlottesville it’s time for Fridays After Five at the Downtown Pavilion! A longtime free music tradition – now in its 28th year – it’s traditionally showcased local talent as well as some more nationally known artists that span the music genres from […]
Do you need an agent when building a new home?
For Buyers, the Model Home signs you see everywhere around the Charlottesville area often make you want to stop in and check them out. When you see the finished project, it’s easy to get excited about building your dream home from the ground up – choosing your lot, your model, interior finishes and upgrades, etc. […]
Five New Home Trends Charlottesville VA
What are the 2015 Home Trends? Where once McMansions reigned supreme in new house sales, buyers today are now asking for more energy efficient, customized and smaller models. While we aren’t quite at a Jetsons-style home with dinner at the push of a button, innovation and invention are at the forefront of building industry trends. […]
What Makes Barracks Road Shopping Center So Special?
For residents of Charlottesville, Barracks Road Shopping Center has been a fixture as a shopping destination since it opened in 1959. Easily accessed by foot from the University of Virginia, and neighborhoods just off Rugby & Alderman Roads, by bus from all over the city and, of course, by car, Barracks Road has made a […]
All About Costco Charlottesville
Costco set to open in 2015 The Stonefield Shops have quickly become the centrally located shopping center to visit with the popularity of now having the only movie theatre around (until the Downtown Mall one reopens after renovations), plenty of speciality shops and eateries, and everyone’s favorite – Trader Joe’s. With the opening of Costco […]
Spring Tips to Make Your Home Shine
Spring is the ideal time for Buyers to find their dream home, so Sellers can take advantage of this by getting their homes ready with these seasonal staging tips: Start with a Spring Cleaning Clean until your home sparkles – and don’t forget the windows, blinds, gutters, molding and ceiling fans! Then, turn your attention […]
Buyer Beware: Red Flags when Purchasing a Home
Top Things to Watch For When Buying a Home Virginia is a “Buyer Beware” state when it comes to purchasing a home. While there are lead based paint and the standard seller disclosures included in most active area listings, Sellers don’t always disclose the whole truth to potential Buyers, especially if they’re motivated to sell. […]
Make a Great First Impression – Agents call it ‘Curb Appeal’
Make a Great First Impression – Agents call it ‘Curb Appeal’ They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression – the same can be said when it comes to listing your home. Having great “curb appeal” has become the go-to way a great listing gets noticed over an okay listing, […]
Can you live in Charlottesville without a car?
Can you live in Charlottesville without a car? Charlottesville has long been on many a Top Ten list for visitors and residents alike as one of the best places to live. One question that has come up, however, is whether it’s possible to live in town without a car. As many of you know, the […]
How to Prevent Freezing Pipes
How to Prevent Freezing Pipes With the recent bone-chilling temps here in Central Virginia, many homeowners are understandably concerned about the possibility of frozen or burst pipes. In fact, every winter season, pipes in a home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions. Pipes most at risk for freezing include: exposed pipes in unheated […]
Some Home Tax Deductions You Might Forget!
When it comes to the “owning vs. renting” debate, it appears that owning a home wins when it comes to tax time. Below are a few homeownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the best deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the mortgage interest deduction, […]
Top Reasons Your Home Might Not Sell Quickly
Here are the Top reasons your house might not be selling as quickly as you would like: Here at Solutions we often get asked by both our listing and purchasing clients why a house isn’t selling. Selling a home in today’s market may turn out to be more than a real challenge. In order to best […]
Should I Appeal My Charlottesville Tax Assessment?
It’s Tax Assessment Time Again It’s tax assessment time again in the city of Charlottesville. Here at Solutions, we’ve taken a look at the recent press release from the city of Charlottesville and have found out a few things about this year’s assessments. Many residents get understandably nervous when their assessments go up as that […]
Best Month and Day to Buy or Sell a Home?
Is there a Best Time to Make an Offer on a House? We recently posted about the best time of year to list your home – spring – and best day of the week to list – Thursday – but is there a best month to buy? Although many experts say the best month to make […]
Spring is the Best Time to Sell Your Charlottesville Home
Now that we’ve passed the holiday season, our thoughts are already turning to when the weather will start warming up as we all want to skip right over winter, right? Here at Solutions, we know that spring is the ideal time to show off a house to its best advantage, and many of our listing […]
Getting to Know the Forest Lakes Neighborhood
Forest Lakes celebrated its 25th anniversary last year as Charlottesville’s first planned community of its kind. Developed by Frank Kessler and the Kessler Group, starting in 1989, Forest Lakes, at the time, offered Charlottesville a suburban experience just outside the city lines that it had never known before. Kessler wanted to create the “ultimate living […]
The Pros & Cons of Owning a Home in a Rural Area
Many people come to the Central Virginia area because of the natural beauty in the form of the Blue Ridge and Southwest Mountains that surround the towns of Charlottesville, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Afton, Earlysville, Free Union and Ruckersville, to name a few. Although you might be familiar with the challenges that living in a more […]
Questions to Ask A Mortgage Lender Before Writing an Offer
Questions to Ask A Mortgage Lender Before Writing an Offer You’ve chosen your dream house, gotten pre-qualified and are about to write your offer – so now what? At Solutions, we recommend finding out as much as possible about your mortgage before you make the next big leap. In fact it is a good idea […]
Homeownership Based on Age
Does Your Age Make a Difference When It Comes To Owning a Home? When it comes time to make the leap from renting to owning, many people wonder if it makes a difference depending on their age. We all know about the Baby Boomers – those born from 1946-1964 – the Gen X-ers – those […]
