“Everything is clearer when you're in love.” John Lennon
“Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” Robert Heinlein
“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.” John Lennon
“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence” Vincent van Gogh quotes
“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”
“Love is all you need.” Paul … (3 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Selling Your Home While Owning Pets
- 01/27/11 08:06 AM
I am a serious dog lover. I grew up with cats, never much around dogs, and then BOOM! A Dalmatian came into our lives, and I now cannot imagine my life without my four-legged children. Of course, pet people who are buying houses need to keep their furry friends in mind when they consider homes. But, what about sellers? Understand... no matter how important your animals are to you, they have nothing whatsoever to do with why a buyer will purchase your home. But, they may contribute to the buyer bypassing your home for another. Richmond agent, Shannon Milligan, does a … (2 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: On foreclosure, bankruptcy & being a privy specialist
- 01/24/11 11:48 PM
On foreclosure, bankruptcy & being a privy specialist I have discouraged clients from putting their homes on the market over the last several years, unless they have a definite need. Those who have wanted or needed to proceed, we’ve worked together to get their properties into top condition for whatever the competitive price is that we come up with to get the house sold. But, if they didn’t have to sell for a specific reason, most have decided to stay put.I just ran a quick check of our area, and, today, January 25th, there are 85 bank owned (foreclosure) properties and … (32 comments)
"X" marks Albemarle County above, with average presence of radon. Less than 10% of the homes I have sold over the last twenty years have required a radon mitigation system. For more information, you might visit the following article posted on the Virginia Asspciation Community Network. What do the Colors mean? The Red is Zone 1 - These Counties have the highest potential with numbers at 4 pCi/L or greater. The Orange is Zone … (2 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: "What do you mean I'm approved but the condo isn't?"
- 01/15/11 04:07 AM
The following post about condominium financing is spot-on. If you are a buyer considering a condo purchase, or you would like to consider that option in your search, know that banking laws are tougher than ever, and the rules that lenders have to follow are tighter. Condominium projects are sitting out there around this country with huge foreclosure rates, and lenders just won't take the risk. UNLESS... certain parameters are met to the letter. Sellers will do themselves a huge favor if they work with their Realtor to make sure their condo meets the criteria needed to get an FHA-approved loan. … (6 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Charlottesville area real estate sales, 2010 YEAR END Market Report
- 01/11/11 03:46 AM
he Charlottesville area real estate sales, 2010 Year End Report (compiled by the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors, or CAAR) has been released, and I don't think the numbers will surprise many people locally. Sales overall, combining the numbers of the seven localities, gave us a year-end average showing a slight decrease (-1.5%). Of the markets where I focus my business, the City of Charlottesville saw the greatest negative movement (-18.9%), continuing it's decline in sales since 2006. On the flip side of that are the neighboring communities of Albemarle, Greene and Fluvanna, which each enjoyed an increase in sales over … (3 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Absentee Seller? Check your insurance policy
- 01/10/11 07:18 AM
Of course you have homeowner's insurance, but you might now know that your rate is dependent on your residing in the house. If you are considering vacating your home, to move into a new home, for example, please be sure to touch base with your insurance company. It's highly likely your rate will increase after some months, but it's far better to pay a bit more each month than to find out that claim for a burst pipe and water damage isn't covered. I was reminded about this in the following blog by Chevy Chase Realtor, Marcie Sandalow.
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charlottesville virginia homes: The forecast is snow, a couple of inches will do
- 01/09/11 11:46 PM
I grew up in Newport News, Virginia. We had several 4-6-inches snows and enough cold weather that we skated on the lake throughout the winter. Until last year, I had begun to feel that the weather had changed altogether. In the Charlottesville area, anyway, we had such mild winters that we barely had enough snow to help the water table. Then last year, oh my. Anyone reading who happens to live in the Charlottesville area will remember 2010 as the winter of snow. And days without electricity. If you live in the country as we do, you were stuck, quite literally. … (6 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: You thought that piece of information was private? Think again!
- 01/06/11 10:38 PM
I started this post with the intention of writing about CLUE reports, and I will be writing about CLUE, but I will also be writing about much more than CLUE. As I started researching CLUE reports, I discovered a whole lot about a lot of “special reports” that are all about me (and you!). First, what is CLUE? CLUE is the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange; it tracks insurance-claim histories of both people and properties. Let me say that again… A CLUE report is made up of information about insurance claims that you have personally made (car or home), and there is … (77 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: It's looking good out there; it's time to buy that house
- 01/06/11 03:03 AM
It's a new year, and it's feeling really good "out there". Consumer confidence is improving, and we are moving ahead again. Interest rates are still at record lows, and inventories remain at levels that give home buyers an edge. I feel very positive about our local market; we are poised for the rebound. If you've been fence-sitting, following are some first steps to get you started. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you, to get acquainted, and to assist you in the home buying process. Let me design a tailored search of local houses that meet your wish list. Visit … (7 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: A cold winter means more wood burning and more chimney fires, Part 2
- 01/05/11 01:03 PM
With winter threatening record cold temperatures, the likelihood of chimney fires throughout the area is almost certain. Retreating to gas logs from wood burning is based on convenience for many people. Stephen and I installed gas logs in our beautiful stone fireplace ten years ago. We would do it all over again, because our reason was simple… we weren’t using the fireplace, and the reason we weren’t using the fireplace was that chopping wood, storing it safely, and then climbing up and down a flight of stairs to replenish the wood stash was not worth the benefit to us. Do we … (7 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is a little airport with a big punch and lots of heart
- 01/03/11 01:08 AM
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) is a true asset of the Charlottesville area. We've traveled quite a bit, and we always begin and end at CHO (as opposed to driving to Dulles or Richmond). It's a very professional operation, but there is a friendliness about it that envelopes all those who pass through. I stopped by the airport's Facebook page today, and this post from a traveler caught my eye: "I will be landing tomorrow at CHO, coming on the late flight from ATL for a visit of Cville from Germany. I can't wait to see your awesome airport again. The … (4 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Cooperating Agency, one of those Critically Important Facts of Real Estate Life
- 12/31/10 09:42 AM
We're all in this together.While waiting with my father at Martha Jefferson Hospital (broken toe) I ran into a woman that I recognized but could not identify. As usual, I offered my hand and said, “Hi, I’m Virginia Gardner”. The woman said in return, “Oh how nice of you, I always forget people’s names.” I was left standing there wondering who the heck she was, until she started talking… She said, “That was such a great house, I really liked it. It was so perfect for my client.” By this time, I was remembering to whom I was talking; she was … (2 comments)
I love traveling through communities during the holiday season, a yard which is totally overdone brings such joy to passersby! It's tragic when the fun of decorating gets in the way of safety, though, and I think it's good for big-time decorators to remember some basic tips. Realtor.org offers up the following articles, fyi. Let's all enjoy the season safely!
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charlottesville virginia homes: It's hard to believe that First Night Virginia is in it's 29th year!
- 12/06/10 01:51 PM
But it's true, according to the First Night Virginia website... Every year on New Year’s Eve, thousands of people come to Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall to take part in a fun-filled celebration of the arts. Now in its 29th year, 2011 promises to be First Night Virginia’s best night ever! I remember selling hot dogs to raise money for the Second Street Gallery one year. I was the Executive Director of the Gallery at the time, and it seemed like such a wonderful idea. It rained. It was cold. And it rained. Oh my. It was awful. We had very good friends … (2 comments)
charlottesville virginia homes: Now that we've done all of this work, we don't want to move!
- 12/04/10 08:29 AM
Preparing a house for the market is hard work. I can't stress too strongly the importance of keeping your house in good physical condition, maybe even hiring a home inspector to check on things every few years. When suddenly it's time to get your house on the market for sale, that rotted threshold, leaky faucet, and filthy bathroom fan become just a few of the many items on the "to do" list. When I tell you that you will need to update your kitchen, will you be in a position to do so? Imagine if you had taken the time and … (4 comments)
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Virginia Gardner
Realtor, Charlottesville, Serving Central Virginia
CharlottesvilleHOME.com is the go-to place for up-to-date information about the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Greene County, and Fluvanna County real estate, home prices and availability. Charlottesville real estate for sale, from University of Virginia neighborhoods and planned unit developments with new homes, to luxury estates within the wider community, you'll find the home of your dreams with CharlottesvilleHOME.com.
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