Charles McDonald - RE/MAX Realty Group

Our beautiful area, local events and neighborhoods. Fine Charlottesville Real Estate in Albemarle County.

http://www.mycharlottesvilleblog.com

About Charles

Many of my clients know that I moved to Charlottesville just 8 years ago Charles McDonaldfrom the Bay Area. I searched for a place to raise my children in a area that has the values of a small town and the excitement of a big city. In a nutshell, I was searching for the quality of life we all deserve. After extensive research I found Charlottesville.

If you are looking to move and are considering Charlottesville, please give me a call. I would love to share with you the wonderful experience I have had in finding Charlottesville and the various reasons that I decided to live in Charlottesville over all other choices from coast to coast!

Regards from Charlottesville

Charles McDonald

Recent Updates
Charlottesville Real Estate Solutions» Articles
Charlottesville Real Estate


Charlottesville Area Tax Rates
Our City and local Counties set their own tax rates and then you pay your taxes based on the assessed value of your property at these rates. Below are the current rates as of May 2012: 0.95 – Charlottesville City 0.762 – Albemarle County 0.5981 – Fluvanna County 0.69 – Greene County 0.65 – Louisa County [...]

First meeting with Charles in Charlottesville
  As my clients know I love the Charlottesville area and I love showing Charlottesville Real Estate and Homes to my clients. A lot of factors go into the decision to relocate to a new area and one thing I have learned is that no two clients are alike in this regard. If time permits, we [...]

Charlottesville Real Estate can be a little Fishy
Several months ago I started the house hunt with a young couple and their two children. They were familiar with Charlottesville but also had some specific requirements. They wanted excellent schools, a neighborhood and privacy (all within budget). Sometimes a neighborhood and privacy are a dichotomy. Well the hunt was on and we soon found [...]

Charlottesville Real Estate 2012 1st Quarter Market Report
Our Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors has just released the latest report showing stats for sales in our area, 2012 1st Quarter. This report comes out Quarterly and gives us a good idea of the current Real Estate Market in the greater Charlottesville Area. Remember to discuss specific market conditions with your Realtor. 1st Quarter 2012 Highlights: [...]

New Construction in Charlottesville
 Many of my clients build with me, and, in fact, it’s a large part of my business. Since my background is in engineering, I feel right at home in the design phase and the selection of a proper home site, not to mention planning out all of the details. My Background I can remember a [...]

Zillow or Trulia which is best?
For Charlottesville Real Estate the answer is Neither – read on… Using the Web to Search I have clients who use a computer to do everything from ordering pizza to trading stocks. When people become so accustomed to using the web to find everything, they can sometimes over think things, and real estate is one [...]

Match Day 2012 UVA, Charlottesville Virginia
Today is Match Day at UVA This is the day when over a hundred medical students at the University of Virginia will find if they are accepted! It is truly a fantastic day for these hard working students who have spent 8 years getting to this moment. Several months ago students picked their top choices [...]

Warren Buffett: Is it time to buy Real Estate?
We all know who Warren Buffett is and when he speaks people listen. Well last week Warren Buffett was interviewed on CNBC and was talking about Real Estate. Specifically is it a good time to buy real estate in the United States… Is buying your own home better than investing in stocks right now? “If [...]

Green Charlottesville Homes
The trend towards Green Homes has certainly hit the Charlottesville Real Estate market over the last couple of years. I now receive inquiries regarding Green Homes in Charlottesville about once or twice a month. Green Charlottesville is Cool It is not just cool to go Green, it makes perfect sense. Many Charlottesville Homes are energy-efficient [...]

How to Sell your Charlottesville Real Estate
So, you’ve decided you want to sell your Charlottesville Home and now you want to start the process. Where do you begin? The first step in selling Charlottesville Real Estate, believe it or not, is not to call a Realtor. The first step should be to evaluate the current market conditions. It is best for [...]

Charlottesville Real Estate 2011 Market Report
Our Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors has just released the latest report showing stats for sales in our area, Year ending 2011. This is the best report format we have seen in quite sometime from CAAR and it shows great details that we talk about all year. Remember to discuss specific market conditions with your [...]

2012 Charlottesville Real Estate Assessments
2012 Charlottesville Real Estate Assessments will be release by the end of January. At least this is what Albemarle County told me when I called to get a specific date. There are 2 areas that have the greatest impact on Assessments in our area. The city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, where Charlottesville is located. [...]

New Owner for Keswick Hall
Keswick Hall, a luxury hotel and Country Club located in Albemarle county,  will soon have a new owner, according to news stories released today. Keswick Hall is currently owned by Orient Express Hotels, which is based in the United Kingdom and owns other high-end resort spots around the world as well as the Orient Express Train [...]

Understanding Charlottesville Real Estate
It is funny to me that so many people are discussing Charlottesville Real Estate like it is something special. I think all areas are special or at least unique. The truth is that to fully understand Charlottesville Real Estate, you must have something to compare it to. Since I am from California, I often compare it [...]

Selling A Charlottesville Home Is Easy
Selling a Charlottesville Home is easy, at least that’s what some people say. All you have to do is put a For Sale sign in the yard and 30 days later you’re at the closing table. Yeah, right Let’s look at the choices that sellers have: Charlottesville For Sale By Owner I still see some [...]

Use a local Charlottesville Buyers Agent
When looking to buy a home in Charlottesville, or any area for that matter, logic dictates that you use a highly skilled local Charlottesville buyers agent. However, I see so many people go against this logic. So lets look at why. A Local Charlottesville Buyers Agent Knows The Market This just makes good sense. Most Buyers [...]

Happy Clients Happy Home Happy Holidays
Sharing the Holidays I am always so pleased to hear from clients and see that they are happy with their new homes. The smiles on these faces just brightens my day! This is one of the nicest Christmas gifts I can receive. Enjoy the season and Merry Christmas! # of Views : 1583

Solutions December Meeting
Charlottesville Solutions (another get together to discuss Real Estate in Charlottesville) Tis the season, and some of the crew at Charlottesville Solutions got together today to share a little holiday cheer and discuss a great year just past and another even greater year coming in 2012. We love to get together, share a meal and [...]

Christmas Tree Head
I just could non resist posting this photo. I do not know where it came from as a family member emailed it to me. It just makes me laugh and I hope you enjoy it too. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Note: It is that time of year again and I do have a habit of saying Merry [...]

Glasshouse Winey
  Have you every been looking for the perfect place to take friends or family while they are visiting you in Charlottesville? Sometime a glass of wine with good friends is the best way to reconnect, relax and enjoy the season. Take a short drive to Free Union and visit Glass House Winey. There you will enjoy [...]

Charlottesville Land and a single tree
Charlottesville Land It is hard to look at Charlottesville without thinking about the Charlottesville Land in the area. We have an area that has wonderful views and four seasons. When we look at land, we sometime forget to see the beauty in just one tree. This tree was photographed by a good friend and it [...]

Top 3 Google+ tips for Real Estate Business
Write a good Bio Seems like this is a no brainer but I am amazed at how many people have little or no Bio on Google. Why spend so much time without having a good Bio, makes no sense to me. Engage Google+ is very social and you have the opportunity to engage with “specific” circles of [...]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Happy Thanksgiving to all From your friends at Charlottesville Solutions # of Views : 694

My Charlottesville Home is not listed?
This story is so important that I decided to repost it as I have recently seen the same issue again in the Charlottesville Real Estate Market Charlottesville Listing Appointment A while ago I went on a listing appointment. Long story Short… the seller decided to use another agent (her mom’s recommendation). No problem… Well I [...]

Start your engines!
Charlottesville Real Estate When searching for a home, you have to just get started! When looking at homes in Charlottesville most buyers want a deal. Well there are certainly some deals out there but there are also homes that are priced fairly in the Charlottesville real estate market. When you are considering a home, you also want [...]

Today in Charlottesville
Today is one of those days where there is a light rain and a bit of mist in the air. One thing about the weather in Charlottesville is that if you do not like, wait an hour or so as it will change. Having this kind of variety makes for a wonderful experience everyday and [...]

Ivy Creek Natural Area – from Solutions
The Fall colors are amazing and the trails are a nice hike (no bikes). We love Charlottesville # of Views : 569

Real Estate Scam? – you have been warned
I recently got this email: Hi there, I am interested in viewing one of your properties, could you please call me on my foreign mobile +882 135 502 99 to setup a time. As I am travelling at the moment I am unable to pickup emails regularly so please call. Kind regards, Liz Casey ——— [...]

Open House at 1604 Bruce Ave, Charlottesville VA
CLICK PHOTO Click for Information on 1604 Bruce Ave Sorry this Home is Under Contract # of Views : 1481

1604 Bruce Ave – a Charlottesville Home to see today!
Days on Market: 3 | Original Price: $339,000 Bed: 4 | Bath: 3.0 | Built: 1955 | Acres: 0.34 MLS: 493863 Finished Sqft: 1,958 | Unfinished Sqft: 166 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, NOV. 20, 1:30-4 PM – VENABLE ELEM. Freshly painted & updated, 1950s one level 4 BR/2.5 BA ranch w/ partially finished w/o bsmt. [...]

Charlottesville Homes and Multiple offers
I was recently asked about multiple offers that seem to be going on in the Charlottesville area. Over the last few weeks I have seen or been involved in several multiple offer Real Estate deals. I think the answer(s), at least for Charlottesville area, are simple…. BUYERS: Are taking advantage of low rates and lower [...]

POLITICS – Humor
This is just too funny not to share   I stumbled on this definition of the word POLI-TICS and I had to add to it a little… There are 2 parts to the word The first part derived from the word : POLY a Greek prefix meaning “many” The second part : TICS - “Bloodsuckers” that attach themselves to warm blooded mammals… [...]

The listing agent did not tell me that
This is a recent comment from a client and the reason is… The listing agent represents the best interests of the seller (not you)… Think about this for a minute. Virginia is a caveat emptor state (buyer beware) and that is just a fact. Having proper representation is critical for buyers in any market and [...]

UVA Duke game
# of Views : 1354

At UVA game
# of Views : 310

Stuck in Traffic in Charlottesville
I just wanted to share my stressful day when I was stuck in traffic – see photo Some days are just rough # of Views : 559

Discussing the walk through-Charlottesville Real Estate
An important part of the process of buying a home is the walk though (just before closing). When we do a walk-though there are a few things we want to focus on: 1. Are all the repairs completed and documented? 2. Is the home in “Broom Swept” condition? (a term used in Virginia) 3. Is [...]

Looking for a fairly priced Charlottesville Home?
When looking at homes in Charlottesville most buyers want a deal. Well there are certainly some deals out there but there are also homes that are priced fairly in the Charlottesville real estate market. When you are considering a home, you also want to consider the current market. Both in Virginia and in the United [...]

Cville real estate market update-11-2011
We talk a lot about Statistics when it comes to real estate. Let’s look a little closer at Charlottesville Virginia Real Estate. Have you heard about Charlottesville Virginia? You deserve to have the quality of life that Charlottesville has to offer. We are a small town that has everything you want to enjoy life. Think [...]

Lake Monticello & Charlottesville Homes
 There are a lot of reasons to look at Lake Monticello. Fluvanna County is located South East of Charlottesville. One of the main draws to Fluvanna is the Lake Monticello Area. Here you can get a home on a lake at a great price and the commute to Charlottesville is about 30 minutes on beautiful county roads! [...]

The Hook Charlottesville’s weekly newspaper
Looking for the latest from our local newspaper. The Hook offers stories, Movies, Culture, Music and even Classified.   Read The Hook # of Views : 635

Multi Family Charlottesville Homes
I just love to get questions from my clients and below is one that I wanted to share: Charles, I often look at your site for investments in the Charlottesville area. Can you show me how to find Multi Family properties for sale? This is simple…. follow this link for Multi Family Charlottesville Homes If [...]

NGIC Real Estate and Hancock Farms
Located minutes to NGIC and DIA is Hancock Farms. Visit the model or contact one of our agents for a personal tour. The Seller is Represented by Charlottesville Solutions # of Views : 475

Charlottesville Historic Real Estate
Charles how do you define Historic Charlottesville Homes on your website? I love questions from my client and this is a good one. What I have done is setup searches based on homes built in 1940 or older. This picks up homes that are 71 years old in the Charlottesville VA area. The beauty of this [...]

Charlottesville Pumpkins
With the cool Fall weather in Virginia it is time to take a break from showing Charlottesville Real Estate and have some Family Fun. We love to carve pumpkins and this photo is just a sample. Now we are not experts at carving but we have gotten better over the years. Note: I  do most [...]

Solutions meeting-Charlottesville Real Estate
Today we have a meeting with all the Agents at Solutions. We do not have regularly schedule meetings like a lot of firms do. We have meetings when there is a specific topic or issue that needs to be addressed. Today’s meeting is about current market trends and a surprise topic that i am sure no [...]

CAAR 3rd Quarter Market Report 2011
Every quarter our local Realtor Association sends out the lastest numbers for the past Quarter. If you read my blog, you see numbers a lot more often, however I wanted to share the report from CAAR with my readers. Please remember that each area is unique and I always advise that you consult with your [...]

Charlottesville Michie Tavern
    A Virginia Historic Landmark, Michie Tavern is a place to stop, visit and dine like they did a hundred years ago. The food is authentic to the time and everyone is dressed in period clothes. This is a place for the entire family.   For more information visit: Michie Tavern Charlottesville # of [...]

Charlottesville Home Stats
When looking at statistics it helps to look at MoM and YoY… This is Month over Month and Year over Year.So below you can see that the MoM is up and the YoY is down.  Hard to make a conclusion, but I would suggest we are in a sideways trend. What do you think? # [...]

About Charlottesville Real Estate
What makes Charlottesville Real Estate Solutions unique is that we are a technology driven company that specializes in Charlottesville Real Estate web based Solutions. We build and maintain our websites and get input from our clients to add features, like map search and “one-click just-listed” Charlottesville homes. Working with buyers and sellers to solve the [...]