Real estate is changing. From the rise of co-living to the local Charlottesville market shift, I’m helping you look past "luxury" to find room to actually breathe. Join the community for weekly insights on living, investing, and building in 2026.
Greedy landlords, a groundhog pledge, & 213 Fox Horn Ln
My Home of The WeekI am thrilled to show you this amazing home tucked away in the highly sought-after Charlottesville neighborhood of Foxcroft. There is so much to love about this property, but what truly makes it stand out is the incredible amount of natural sunlight that pours into the living areas. I don't know about you but I do not like a dark kitchen. Check out the video below! 213 Fox Horn Ln
What Has ChangedAvenue Realty & Compass A lot has happened in my personal real estate world (and no, I didn't buy myself another house!). The big news is that my wonderful brokerage, Avenue Realty, has officially partnered with Compass, the largest brokerage in America, to bring the absolute best tools and the largest real estate network directly to the Charlottesville area. I'm incredibly excited about this partnership, and I can't wait to put these new resources to work so that my buyers and sellers get the highest level of support and the best listings in our market. P.S. This transition is exactly why I've been away from this newsletter for the past couple of weeks!
What The Local Market Is DoingWe now have more inventory than last year At the start of the year, I honestly didn't see us getting more inventory than we did last year. I mean, we started out the year with just 220 homes on the market, and now we're at 541 (it was actually higher on Saturday, but homes went under contract). Is this number high or low for our market? It's still low. If you take out new construction, our available inventory in Albemarle County and Charlottesville is only 380 homes. One good indicator for more sellers listing is that in 2025, interest rates were near 6.75%. Right now, we are sitting at 6.29%. When sellers list their properties, they usually become buyers as well, and with more inventory, we get a more balanced market with less competition. Albemarle & Charlottesville Homes Listed This Week - 93 | Last Week - 93 What I'm WatchingThe War of Greedy Landlords This weekend saw the closure of several businesses on West Market Street, namely, Common House and the Safe and Browns Lock and Safe next door. It is heartbreaking to see the closing of businesses that have been staples in our town for so many years. Why is this happening? Because of slower traffic? Because of construction? Nope. It's because of greedy landlords who want more money, and they are forcing out local businesses to attract higher-paying clients. And these are just two examples; I've seen it firsthand in our own office building! We had been there for seven years, and when they wanted more money, my broker said, "No thanks," and we packed up and moved. I also see it in Old Trail in Crozet, with retail spaces that have sat vacant for years because the owner refuses to lower the rent enough for small businesses to actually be successful. It's really sad that our town's landlords are operating like this, and I hope businesses can somehow find a way to fight back. My Final ThoughtsIn order for me to be the best resource for you in Charlottesville, I have to be more consistent. And that's on me, my bad! I am making a pledge to get this email to you every single week. It's kinda like those viral TikTok trends: "Day 1 of feeding a groundhog until all the groundhogs befriend me." You've seen those videos in your algorithm, right? Or is that just me? Anyway, I'm back, I'm partnered by Compass but still have that same local charm, and I'm ready to help out all my clients across Virginia!
Avenue Realty Group | Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Office: 434.270.8839 |
Craig Massie
Real estate is changing. From the rise of co-living to the local Charlottesville market shift, I’m helping you look past "luxury" to find room to actually breathe. Join the community for weekly insights on living, investing, and building in 2026.
My Home of The Week This home isn't on the market, because it no longer exists! But I want to bring to life what Habitat for Humanity is doing in Crozet. In 2024, they purchased this home that had been vacant for many years and was built with asbestos, inside and out. It wasn't safe, and it wasn't a great look sitting at the entrance to the city. They recently got zoning approved to build two units on the lot, and Habitat wants to bring affordable housing to Crozet. To qualify to buy one of...
My Homes of The Week Shameless plug here, but I have two homes on the market that I want to promote, can you blame me? Funny enough, they both have the exact same square footage. The first is a townhome in Forest Lakes South, located on a quiet cul-de-sac and built in 2004. Move-in ready and waiting for your family! 1069 Bristlecone LaneCharlottesville, VA3 Bedroom - 2.5 Bathroom - 1,668 Total Sqft4 Days on the Market | Asking $415,000Listed by Me Check Out The Townhome The next home is...
My Home of The Week It can be tough to find this kind of value in such a highly sought-after Crozet neighborhood! This home is an absolute gem for anyone wanting to live in the heart of town, right across the street from Crozet Park, while soaking up all the luxuries of a fantastic, family-friendly community. I have a huge soft spot for this neighborhood because it was crafted by Craig Builders. That's right... it's me. Just kidding! Man, it would be awesome if I owned Craig Builders, but...