Charlottesville Real Estate

head_left_image

Over 30 inches of snow and a happy dog - Speechless Sunday

Well I should say a "happy dog" once I cleared a trail for her!

Charlottesville Weather

MERRY "WHITE" CHRISTMAS!

 

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his team of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our team anytime at 434-515-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

 

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

Albemarle sales vs last year

I really really like to look at numbers and this comparison of how we are doing in the Charlottesville Real Estate market are quite revealing. Note what price ranges are selling vs the same time last year. Certainly last year was not a great year but these numbers will help you to see where the market is moving.

 

Sold Price Last Year This Year Last Yr Vs This Yr
01/01/2008-11/28/2008 01/01/2009-11/28/2009
$0                - $99,999 2 19 850%
$100,000    - $149,999 52 44 -15%
$150,000    - $199,999 96 117 22%
$200,000    - $249,999 132 154 17%
$250,000    - $299,999 141 174 23%
$300,000    - $349,999 96 103 7%
$350,000    - $399,999 89 72 -19%
$400,000    - $449,999 55 41 -25%
$450,000    - $499,999 47 31 -34%
$500,000    - $549,999 31 38 23%
$550,000    - $599,999 31 21 -32%
$600,000    - $699,999 53 34 -36%
$700,000    - $799,999 21 30 43%
$800,000    - $899,999 17 11 -35%
$900,000    - $999,999 19 10 -47%
$1,000,000 - $1,499,999 24 18 -25%
$1,500,000 - $1,999,999 8 6 -25%
$2,000,000 - Above 15 9 -40%
Total 929 932 0.3%

 

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2009 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

Showing Charlottesville Real Estate from Start to Finish (photos)

When I took off to show Real Estate this is the view of Garth Road just after I leave my home.

Pay close attention to the "traffic" !!!

 

Now I spent the day with clients showing several homes. I will not bother you with those photos

but what I did want you to see is this (below)... The photo I took with my blackberry of the sunset:

Yes I pulled over to take this photo, it was stunning!

Come visit and tour our area anytime!

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2009 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

MULE vs GATOR?

Mule or Gator, this is the question and I know many of you are wondering what in the world is Charles talking about now?

When I moved to Virginia (going on 8 years now) I went from .25 acres to now 14 acres of land. Well there is a lot to do on a piece of land, cut trees that have fallen, clear brush, create gardens, make trails, fish, hike and explore.

After a short time I realized with all this fun and work, I needed the right tools and one of them is a utility vehicle. So I started to look at options.

There are a lot of people who are "John Deere" die-hards and I am now on my 2nd John Deere riding mower. The first one was a little small and I beat the heck out of it!!!

 

John Deere makes a "Gator" and there are several versions of the Gator. Plus it is (as the song goes) "John Deere Green".

Well I looked at the Gator and talked to a lot of people and it is a fine utility vehicle.

 

Kawasaki makes a "Mule" and the rear bed tilts and it has a roll cage.

 

There is also a bench seat and a little higher ground clearance.

so  MULE vs GATOR?

 

My property is rather hilly. In fact I would call it steep! So I looked at all the options and talked to a lot of people and I bought a "Mule".

 

I am so pleased with it's performance on the hills it is hard to explain. It will try to climb a tree if you let it. We have a grand time with the Mule and even use it to pull sleds in the Winter.

The main thing when looking at a Mule or a Gator is to consider your property. How steep of hills do you have? Are you going to be in river beds, etc…

I think if my land were flatter, I would have gone with a Gator. But I can tell you, after flipping over in a Mule and being able to walk away from it (that is another story). I am sold on the Mule!

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

What I do when not showing Charlottesville Real Estate...

Today my family and I took a little hike and during the hike decided it was time to do a little gardening.

So when we got back home we got right to work. Well it was not long before I heard a SCREAM!!!

SNAKE!!!

I came running with a shovel (to cut his head off) thinking it was a copperhead. I was pleased to see it was a nice little 3 foot Black Snake,

Snake in Virginia

Excuse the photos as I took them with my blackberry and not my camera...

Well my wife actually scared him and he laid there very still...

Snake in Virginia

His is so cute I think he is smiling at the camera!

Snake in Virginia

I let this little guy go and he is evidently living in my barn.

Note: a black snake can bite but he is good to have around to take care of mice and copperheads...

Back to gardening!

 

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

CHRISTMAS Lights - I think simple is Best!

When it comes to decorating outside for Christmas, my wife and I have come to the conclusion that "Simple is Best".

We used to decorate way over the top but now we do simple displays such as the 2 deer on the side of our driveway:

A simple Red Ribbon on each deer and that is all! Of course the one grazing is animated...

 

We also have a few strategically placed wreaths on the outside of our home with spotlights to accent them at night!

The one pictures here is about 3 feet in diameter.

Oh and for another idea we put a smaller wreath on the mailbox.

Next is the front door. We have 2 topiaries wit lights and of course another wreath on the front door with a red ribbon....

This is very welcoming for visitors!

Here is a shot of the front of our home all lite up for Christmas:

Notice the CHRISTMAS TREE in the Window on the Right.

Not way over the top, we think that "Simple is Best!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the McDONALD's!!!

(we would love to see photos of your decorations!)

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

WOW, what a party!!! Charlottesville Friends

WOW, what a party!

One of our best ones, we had wonderful guests, great food (thanks Betty) good music and fantastic weather (75 degrees)! What more could we ask?

Thank you to my family, friends and clients who attended, it is your support that makes working with Charlottesville Real Estate a true joy for me. If you not able to attend, we missed your smiling faces and look forward to seeing you next year!

The photo below of the pumpkins was emailed to me from one of our dear friends and clients who live in Glenmore.

They were so kind to take it as I forgot to get any photos of the party...

As darkness came, we lit the pumpkins! (even though it was Nov 1st)

The kitty design, in the rear, was my daughters creation!

 

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia
(main) 434-515-1585     (cell) 434-981-1585     (fax) 866-527-9526 
Charlottesville on Twitter Charlottesville on Facebook Charlottesville on Linkedin Charlottesville Real Estate Search Charlottesville on FriendFeed Charles on Active Rain Charlottesville Real Estate feed

 

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate