Owner: Charlottesville Real Estate URL:www.Charlottesville.com Join Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:17:35 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Charlottesville's most Trusted and Widely used Website and BLOG for Real Estate Site statistics:Click here
GETTING PERSPECTIVE-DO NOT MISS PHOTOS 2007-09-19 12:21:14 We all have Challenges in our lives (personal and business). I ran across something that may help us keep things in "PERSPECTIVE". No matter how big our challenges are, to me nothing is more important than "my family". I moved across this great nation to give my kids a childhood that I felt was best for them. Keep your family as a priority....OK, here we go, please look at these pictures in detail! How big are you? How big is your biggest problem?Let's keep things in PERSPECTIVE!Make it a great week? Does this help put things in Perspective???
Today at Starbucks! lol 2007-09-19 09:03:29 So today I went to the doctor and had my physical. Dressed in sweats and a t-shirt (so I can do the doctor thing quickly). Of course no food or coffee since midnight....First off everything went fine at the doctors office. Then I decided to go to Starbucks
. I open the door and I hear a voice...."Charles???" is that you??? I had to laugh!It was a good client of mine and she says "You are not in your usual attire" Isn't this the case, as agents when we go out in public, we will never see someone and the day we look like hell, we run right into a client!!!Way to start the day Charles!!! lol EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE DAYS??? Read more:Today
ELVIS at the Charlottesville Paramount!!! 2007-09-17 15:33:31 LONG LIVE THE KING!!Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Elvis' Death, Matt Lewis (one of the best impersonator of Elvis) will be live at the CharlottesvilleParamount
Theater!Backing Lewis are special guests for this concert, hometown favorites Big Ray and the Kool Kats. Friday, Sept 28 at 8pmIf you are a fan, this is for you!I may be there in disguise!Regards from CharlottesvilleCharles McDonald
1530 Broad Crossing - Near Forest Lakes (Hollymead Area) 2007-09-17 13:08:49 1530 BroadCrossing
, HollymeadOnly 389,900. 2204 finished 1096 unfinished in Charlottesville4 bed 2 1/2 bathsDO NOT MISS VISUAL TOUR! Brick front home in prime location of Hollymead. Walk to schools, close to Target and town. This home has a Beautiful family room with pass through gas fireplace and built ins. There is a separate dining room, breakfast nook, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, unfinished basement with full walk-out offering several options. On .4 acres is a large lot for the area. Church next door keeps the home private. Enjoy the Large rear deck which views the wooded rear yard. Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill REALTOR®, ABR®, e-PRO®, Circle of Excellence, CAAR Professional Honor Society, &quo Read more:Forest
, Lakes
Charlottesville home under 199K??? 2007-09-16 08:34:01 Charlottesville home under 199K???OK, now the correction has hit us in Charlottesville and it seems we are much closer to reality in terms of price. Of course this is a personal opinion!I watch every new home the comes on the market every morning in my area. This keeps me really up to date on our overall Real Estate condition in and around Charlottesville Virginia.This weekend I saw 2 listing that were "homes" under 200K. Not condos or town homes.... This appears to be closer to where are low end homes should be in our area. Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill Read more:Charlottesville
$1,000 Challenge! 2007-09-13 08:46:10 It's a $1,000 Challenge
! - (no that is not the prize, you reward is that you will be highlighted by posting in this Blog and you get "Bragging Rights!")I have a client with a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath on the market :Click here to see homeIf you had $1,000 to make over this home, what would you suggest they do?Staging is obvious, but stagers please give specific suggestions! All ideas are welcome! Come on Take the CHALLENGE!!!Best regards from Charlottesville,Charles McDonaldNOTE: This Blog is intended to.... 1. be fun... 2. educate Real Estate Agents about the benefits of Staging... 3. help us all see the value Professional Stagers offer to our industry!And I have now meet some excellent Stagers who I will highly recommend!!! If I inadvertently insulted anyone, I apologize.
Albemarle High Schools - Virginia 2007-09-11 12:05:28 In Albemarle we have rolling hills, wonderful Blue ridge Views and great schools. Here are the Public High Schools
in Albemarle County:Albemarle High School Home of the Patriots! Monticello High School Located close to Jeffersons Home! Murray High School Now on-line with wonderful information! Western Albemarle High School Home of the Warriors! We have fine Schools in Virginia
and Albemarle. Come visit and plan a tour. We look forward to seeing you!Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill please visit or subscribe to my blog by clicking here.
IPOD Shuffle! (HOW I WON!!!) 2007-09-11 11:15:44 I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER win anything!!!I annouced the Mardi Gras Trade Show in Charlottesville on my BLOG! I went to the event, even though I did not have much time. Went to all the booths, talked with vendors, meet fellow agents and I threw a business card in the bowl for the drawing of prizes....I did not even know what they were giving away.When I stopped by the CAAR office they told me I won an IPOD!!! Now I have to get my Son to show me how to upload to it!!! Now I can not say, that I NEVER win anything! Read more:Shuffle
Hollymead Home - Charlottesville Virginia! 2007-09-10 18:14:39 Charles McDonald | Real Estate III | charles@mycharlottesvilleagent.com | 434-981-15851530 Broad Crossing Road, Charlottesville
, VAPrivate Brick Front home in prime location of Hollymead. Walk to schools, close to Target and town. Wooded Rear Yard!4 Bdrm Single Family Houseoffered at $389,000Year Built1997 Sq Footage2,204 Bedrooms4Bathrooms2 full, 1 partial Floors2 ParkingUnspecified Lot Size.41 acres HOA/Maint$39 per monthDESCRIPTIONCALL ME today to see this Fine Home in Hollymead!!! Private Brick Front home in prime location of Hollymead. Walk to schools, close to Target and town. Beautiful family room with pass through gas fireplace & built ins. Separate dining room, breakfast nook, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, unfinished basement with full walk-out offers several options .4 acres is a large lot for the area. Church next door keeps the home private. Enjoy the Large rear deck which views the wooded rear yard. see additional photos belowPROPERTY FEATURESCentral A/CCentral heatFireplaceWal Read more:Virginia
New Construction vs Resale (((are you nuts?))) 2007-09-10 14:40:02 So am I nuts??? Everyone is saying this is a "Buyers Market" and there is no question about that! Buyers and hesitant to just buy, but I say why not Build!!! Why would you want to "build" right now vs buy a resale? (((3 Reasons)))1. Interest rates are low 2. Builders have to sell homes and you can make incredible deals! 3. You actually get the "Home of your DREAMS!!!" Contact me for details about New Construction
in and around Charlottesville Virginia! Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill please visit or subscribe to my blog by clicking here. Read more:Resale
Does your Agent do this? 2007-09-10 13:04:10 After a client has purchased a home, I feel that it is the beginning of a relationship. 1. We stay in touch with you and I am always there to answer questions or give you referrals. 2. Sure we give you an appropriate closing gift 3. I will send you periodic information about our area, your home, etc... The Biggie! 4.YOU ARE INVITED TO MY YEARLY PARTY!!! Food, Drink, Music, Singing! Meet new people!!! it is a great time for all!!! Hope to see you there!!! NOTE: AR Associates - contact me for an invite!!!Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and bel Read more:Agent
Why is my Agent so Vague? 2007-09-09 08:36:44 Schools - It may sound vague when an agent talks about schools but Buyer and Listing agents can not "steer" a client to or from a school. Crime - I hear it all the time, how is the crime in this area. Again an agent will be vague and refer you to a website or the police dept. Race and Religion - Who lives in this neighborhood. This is a biggie. Think about this for a minute, agents can not give you a cross reference of nationalities or religion in an area. We can not even tell you if there are a lot of kids in a neighborhood. We will say something like "well, when we drive around, let's see if there are play-sets and bicycles". Sex-offenders/Megan's Law - We actually write this one into our contracts, giving you a place to look for this information, but as an agent, we can not do this for you.This is why I have links to pertinent information on my website at http://www.MyCharlottesvilleAGENT.comBest regardsCharles McDonaldCharl Read more:Agent
UVA vs DUKE 2007-09-08 10:31:48 FOOTBALL is Here and today UVA plays Duke in Charlottesville!The games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville are always a great time! Tailgating, meeting friends and football!I see vehicles driving with flags and horns honking!Any virtual bets? I will take UVA and give you 7 pts....These are the days we do not drive to town and we can enjoy the game on TIVO... I love technology but it does not replace being there! GO HOOS!!!!
lol-are you serious? 2007-09-07 10:12:19 I just got a email from my marketing (see below) that is questionable:hello sir, I am interested in the purchase of your item ,so i will kindly want you to get back with your full name and contact address along with your phone number,so i can call my client to issue out the(CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ...) fast.how much are you selling out the item?If you are interested get back to me fast.... regards .................Questionable, lol this is a scam! If you get anything close to this just hit the "DELETE" key!!!Do you get these too? Read more:serious
Why Charlottesville? 2007-09-06 19:47:05 WHY CHARLOTTESVILLE?Charlottesville
Virginia is located just east of the Blue Ridge mountains in central Virginia. With incredible mountain views, about 45 minutes to skiing in Wintergreen and just a few hours to the eastern seaboard. We are located where Thomas Jefferson decided to build his home, Monticello, a must see when touring Charlottesville. The University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Jefferson is in the heart of Charlottesville. Ex-presidents, Madison and Monroe also made their homes nearby. The city of Charlottesville has a population of approximately 40 thousand which is why we have the feel of a small town. However, we also have the amenities of a big city. We have theaters, art museums and even big name shows that come to Charlottesville. Our downtown mall is a walking brick lined mall with shops, ice skating and an outdoor theater for weekly events! Many visitors enjoy the wineries and top off their visit with a breath-taking hot air balloon ride! Come visit Charlotte
SIGN, SIGN everywhere a SIGN!!! 2007-09-06 16:48:38 SIGN, SIGN everywhere
a SIGN!!! Blocking out the scenery, blowing my mind..... (I think those are the words). We have Real Estate Signs, Open House Sign and Election Signs.... This is a lot of Signs for a small town like Charlottesville Virginia. At this time of year more signs are popping up. These are : Painting Service Signs Garage Sale Signs and the latest are Closet Installation Signs..... So services are now putting these on our roadways!This is too many signs in our area! (in my opinion). What are your thoughts?
Mardi Gras (CAAR Trade Show) in Charlottesville!!! 2007-09-05 15:12:48 Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors Trade
Show! The 2007 CAAR Trade Show - Mardi
Gras is being held Thursday, September 6, at the Doubletree Hotel. Stop by the Exhibit Hall from 10 am to 5 pm.Tickets are $20 at the door. Check out the CAAR website for more information and a list of classes ! We at Real Estate III will have a large showing of agents! Almost 30% of agents in our area work for Real Estate III.SEE YOU THERE!!!Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill please visit or subscribe to my blog by clicking here. Read more:Charlottesville
, Mardi Gras
Please Welcome Richard/Skyline (3D - Model of Homes) 2007-09-04 10:57:26 Please welcome Richard
from Skyline
Home Builders to AR!He has posted a couple of 3D models of a home they will be build for one of my clients.Here is a link to his post:http://activerain.com/blogsview/193806/By-Popular-Demand Please give him some feedback on his work and welcome him to AR!!!Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill please visit or subscribe to my blog by clicking here. Read more:Please
, Welcome
, Homes
SPEEDTEST!!! 2007-09-02 09:16:53 SPEED TEST We are all wired these days and when surfing the Internet it is very important that we are surfing at the best speed we can get. Check out this website to check the speed of your connection and even to specific locations!http://www.speedtest.netI have found it useful, especaily when my service provider says there is nothing wrong with my connection,You can pick a server to actually run a test on!Best regards from Charlottesville!Charles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill please visit or subscribe to my blog by clicking here.
Charlottesville Famous Residents! (a little humor) 2007-09-02 08:54:49 Charlottesville Famous
Residents! The history of the Charlottesville area will amaze you. Several presidents called this home. Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark, birth place is about a mile from my home. Of course, Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark from here to the West! Charlottesville has had several famous residents (see below) add to this list, Dave Mathews Band, Sissy Spacek and Jessica Lange. The author, John Grisham calls Charlottesville home and most Virginia football fans would recognize Howie Long who lives in the wonderful Ivy area of Charlottesville VA. USA Today says "Mr. Jefferson would be proud". Some of Charlottesville Famous Residents! Thomas JeffersonJames MadisonJames MonroeEdgar Allan PoeMy Charlottesville AGENTLewis & ClarkCharles McDonaldREALTOR, Licensed to sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginiahttp://www.mycharlottesvilleagent.com/ http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com/"Whatever your mind can conceive and Read more:Charlottesville
, little
Walking with my Wife.... 2007-09-29 09:55:32 You may already know that I take a daily walks with my wife (see http://activerain.com/blogsview/204880/MeMe-OK-I-feel )This is a picture of one of our favorite places to walk (just a couple minutes from our home). Not sure you get the real idea of how peaceful this area is? Today we started to see some leaves falling as we are getting cooler weather!There is a lot to see on these walks! Sometimes we see other walkers and runners (several friend and neighbors) from around Charlottesviile's surrounding areas. There is a lot of wild life, squirrels, birds and deer. Occasionally we hear the horn of local Fox Hunters. Then the dogs run by us followed by the riders on horse back. It goes from quite to extremely active.One of the nice things we see on our walks is some of the most beautiful estates in our county with Blue ridge Views! (see photo). Yes, that is the barn, the main home is over the hill.... When we are out touring the area Read more:Walking
Artist Shows her stuff!!! 2007-09-29 08:00:50 The MUDHOUSE presents:Living and Dying, recent works by Marcy Rampini October 1-30, 2007Opening reception is Friday, Oct 5th from 6-8pmMarcy is a good friend and neighbor, and we wish her all the best on this showing. My wife and I will be there and we hope you will too. Marcy's husband is an excellent local builder, Massimo Rampini with European Homes located in Charlottesville Virginia.To see some of this fine work visit: http://www.marcyrampini.com/and also for information visit: www.mudhouse.com While in Charlottesville, call me to see the perfect home to go with your new painting!Best regards, Charles McDonaldwww.MyCharlottesvilleAGENT.com Read more:Artist
, stuff
R U A RED-EYED TREE HUGGER? 2007-09-27 18:55:26 There are some wonderful bloggers all over the Internet. how do you know if you are hooked on blogging?Here is my top 10 list:You know you are hooked on blogging if:10 - you look forward to "comments" on my posts.9 - you want to have "featured" posts.8 - you blog everyday7 - you dream (or have nightmares) about blogging6 - your eyes are Red and you GRIP the Keyboard like a treefrog!5 - your clients reach you faster by blogging that by email4 - your spouse is jealous of my computer!3 - you feel Blogging gives the illusion that you are hard at work2 - you sneak off in the middle of the day to post a blogAnd the #1 reason you know you are hooked on blogging is because your wife wants to know who Melissa, Kris, Mary, Bridget, Toni, Sherri, Janice, Sheron, Brigita, Nicole, Shannon, Barbara and Jessica are and you don't have a good answer!
Sellers Listen up! 2007-09-27 18:10:05 Seems that the inventory is increasing and the sales are slowing. In Charlottesville the real estate market is very seasonal. We start in March and Peak in Aug. Then we start to slow into Fall and Winter.Then the cycle starts over again. This cycle is repeated over and over again. This is partially (and mostly) do to the fact that we are a University town. The University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson (our 3rd president) is our biggest employer and our biggest land owner.The cycle of the school year directly relates to the cycle of the Real Estate market in Charlottesville.So how do you sell your house in this market?There are just a few things to remember.1. Show well (consider using a stager)2. Be the deal (run the comps and be sure you are priced right)3. use a REALTOR! (this is the best way to get your home marketed)No fluff, just 3 simple rules to sell your home. Feel free to contact me in Charlottesville if you have any question!RegardsCharles McDonaldREALTOR, 434- Read more:Sellers
, Listen
Call Agent X? 2007-09-25 17:11:01 I am out showing Real Estate with out of town clients and all appointments are setup and everything seems fine. Then we drive in a neighborhood and see the perfect home (with a for sale sign in from of it) that was not on our tour. I check into the MLS (while in my vehicle) and get the price and stats on the home. Things are looking great!Then the showing says "Call Agent
X"So of course I make the call and I get a voicemail.... I leave a message for Agent X.Then I call the back up number to the main office.... Amazing I get an answering machine.... Another message is left. We keep looking at homes and no call back from Agent X.My clients are leaving tomorrow and will stay over to see the home. I call again and get Agent X's voice mail...This event does happen and the issue is that the listing agent does not have a good system in place. Some agents put "Call Agent" in our MLS as a habit. I have had the agent say, "The home is Vacant go ahead and show i
MUMMS the WORD! 2007-09-25 14:22:47 I believe this is my favorite time of year! The "Fall Colors" are about to show up in Charlottesville Virginia! Be ready for some WOW moments.I want to thank all of my clients this year that bought or sold real estate in our area!Today I got to do one of my favorite things. I spent the day (with my wife) dropping off Pumpkins and MUMMS to all my clients. Well not all of them....Tomorrow I will be continuing because the list is a little long (I feel like Santa).... Errrr,,, I am starting to look like him too!Several clients where home and I got in a little visit, but the fun is when they get home from work and see this surprise on their doorstep!I know several of my clients read my BLOG and if you did not get your surprise today, do not worry it is on its way!Thank you my dear friends!Best regards from CharlottesvilleCharles McDonaldP.S. I have way to much fun as your REALTOR®!!!
Only in CHARLOTTESVILLE! 2007-09-24 13:55:36 2.99 gorgeous acres with a wonderful view and the homesite is in place. It is a Beautiful, Peaceful, Private South facing acreage with views of mountains & stream on bottom of the land. This Saddle Hollow location is nestled above Mint Springs Park, an area of large parcels & Emerald Ridge. Mature trees, meadow area, power, well, new septic & excavated building site ready for your new home. This desirable location (3-4 minutes from downtown Crozet) is perfect for a family who wants that "country" feeling, yet very close to town Come on out to Charlottesville, we have more than just Real Estate we have breath-taking views! MLS 443106 Priced at just $225KTHE DRIVEWAY TO THIS FINE PARCEL!Charles A. McDonald 434-981-1585 (cell) 866-527-9526 (fax)www.MyCharlottesvilleAGENT.com , www.MyCharlottesvilleBLOG.com REALTOR®, Licensed to sell real estate in Virginia - Real Estate III, 500 Faulconer Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903&
Would you leave your oven on 24 hours a day??? 2007-10-03 16:04:36 This is just what we are doing with a traditional water heater! ((Keep reading this is good stuff))The tank holds water, which we keep at a constant temperature until we turn on a valve. This was ok for a long time. But times are changing and so is the McDonald house!!!We are installing a "Tank-less Water Heater". These units are Energy saving, Earth friendly and budget conscious. There is a dramatic reduction in electric or propane costs. They use a fraction of the energy to operate and thus they are earth friendly. Statistics say that you will recoup the cost of the unit within 3 years. My unit has a 10 year full replacement warrantee!If you are retrofitting a unit into a home it is a little more difficult to get "instant" hot water. But in new construction, just be sure they plumb for it!They are so much smaller that old style water heaters! Here is another benefit; it does not run out of hot water.... It just keeps on heating it as you need it...Do yourself (and
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