charlottesville

Groupenomics: Getting schooled on the daily deal craze

Are you ready for the social buying craze? They've got an offer you can't refuse.

This Ryan home in the new Crozet-area Westhall neighborhood was offered at $279,900 and sold for $317,458. Though the local market is still seeing a number of short sales and foreclosures, the listing agent notes that new construction sales seem relatively strong.

New construction a bright spot?

2/3/2012 Albemarle Lillie P. & Edward L. Early II to Bank of

A condo in the Maclin Building spent 513 days on the market, but ultimately traded for $366,000, more than $18,000 over the current assessment. Financing for condos-- especially those in mixed-use buildings-- was virtually non-existent a year ago, according to the listing agent. Once suitable lending opportunities opened up, multiple offers arrived, and the Market Street unit moved quickly.

Market Street condo attracts multiple offers

2/1/2012 Charlottesville CB&D, LLC to Christopher & Darlene Bruce, 1723 Chesapeake Street, $280,726 Arthur Feiner, Marie O. Pealer & Mary P. Newton to CB & D, LLC, 507 Hanover Street, $69,000 Robert Kujawa & Luckpenny Properties, LLC to John Lubas, 1243

Cycle Systems will launch 'METAL' in March, a program that will allow artists--even Boy Scouts-- to hunt for scraps.

Month late: Scrap yard to debut 'METAL' program

As previously reported, the CEO of the company that operates the Meade Avenue scrap yard long known as Coiner's Scrap Iron and Metal had promised to relaunch walk-in sales to artists and others in February. Prior coverage Read the "Big Scrap" story

Unranched: Pop-up and more enliven in Fry's

Address: 100 Troost CourtNeighborhood: Fry’s Spring, CharlottesvilleAsking: $359,900Assessment: $351,100Year Built: 1961Size: 2,580 finished sq. ft., 1,290 unfinishedLand: .53 acresCurb Appeal: 4 out of 10Listing Agent: Deborah Rutter, Nest Realty, 434-996-2142

This upper-level unit at McGuffey Hill spent 5 months on the market before selling for $380,000. The downtown location and a full remodel contributed to the $333/sq. ft. value and a sales price $20,000 over assessment, figures that the selling agent says were supported by other comps in this desirable condominium community.

Prime location wins strong price

12/29/11 Albemarle Ronald A. & Kathleen F. Mordini to Margeret L. Vanekeren & Meredith Ann Dixon, 5935 Buck Ridge Road, $370,000 J. Timothy Beeghly to Edwin Nordenschild, 3296 Irish Road, $355,000 John R. Lloyd to Jennifer M. Risner, 1303 Auburn DrIve, $246,500 V

Only commercial enterprises can advertise on Charlottesville buses.

Bus-ted: Transit policy blocks Harrington ad

As Charlotte Ding drove behind a public bus in Rochester, New York, an advertisement on the back of the vehicle pleading for help with an unsolved murder grabbed the former Charlottesville resident's attention– and sparked a brainstorm. Recent story • Pain and frus

Former patrons plan to hold a vigil outside St. Maarten Café on Tuesday night. The restaurant closed abruptly after 26 years.

After 26 years, St. Maarten Café closes

News about the sudden closing of St. Maarten Café on the Corner, the place with the Buffett vibe (Jimmy, not Warren) long before Cheeseburger in Paradise, spread like wildfire on social media websites. "I was totally overloaded," says Lisa Roland, wife of owner Jim Roland,

Listed at $187,400 and situated on a 2-acre lot just beyond James Monroe's Ashlawn, this three-bedroom home went under contract (for $162,500) in just 26 days. The listing agent attributes the quick turnaround to good condition and size-- as well as a realistic asking price.

Realistic outlook

12/20/11 Albemarle Douglas Wade to John & Kathleen Pegues, 727 Denali Way, Unit 206, $65,000 Phillip Norford to Katherine Chapman, 2517 Hydraulic Road, Unit 65, $60,000 Charlottesville Sunrise Park LLC to Harold & Clarissa Folley, 1407 Midland Street, $174,62

1120 Little High Street recently traded for $172,000, well under the current assessment of $286,000. Why the discrepancy? According to the listing agent, the city bills the home as having three bedrooms instead of two, resulting in yet another situation where market value doesn't support assessment.

High Expectations

12/15/11 Albemarle Dolly Prenzel to Anne Hilton, 1706 Old Forge Road, $359,000 Promised Land LLC to Piedmont Realty Holdings I LLC, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1582 Wickham Pond Drive, $380,000 Warren Wade, Jr. to Floyd Wright, 4.0 Acres, TM 128-50, $2,054