This Week in Central Virginia Real Estate: Land Deals, Zoning Chaos, and Local Gems
This Week in Central Virginia Real Estate: Land Deals, Zoning Chaos, and Local Gems
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
Welcome to this week’s roundup of local real estate updates, market trends, and lifestyle highlights from around Charlottesville, Waynesboro, and Staunton. Whether you're a buyer, seller, or just someone who loves staying in the know about the community, there's something here for you.
🏡 Deal of the Week: 2.29 Acres With a Free House… Kinda
If you’ve been looking for land with flexibility, this is worth a closer look. The property at 6790 Foster Ridge in Charlottesville sits on 2.29 acres and is listed at $229,900. The land alone is close to market value, so it’s like getting the home on it for free.
You’ve got options here:
Renovate the modular home already on site
Start fresh and build something new
Either way, you're working with land that’s already priced competitively. That gives you real leverage on what you want to do next.
🔗 View the Listing
📍 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2.29 Acres
💼 Listed by Heritage Real Estate Co.
⚖️ Zoning Limbo in Charlottesville: What’s Going On?
In an unprecedented legal twist, a judge has voided Charlottesville’s entire zoning code after the city’s attorneys missed a crucial filing deadline. The city had already repealed the old code before passing the new one, and now both are off the books.
So what does that mean?
No active zoning regulations in place right now
Building and fire codes still apply
Developers and property owners are navigating a legal gray area
If you're planning to develop or invest in Charlottesville real estate, keep a close eye on this. It’s a rare and evolving situation.
🍽️ Local Spotlight: Maude & The Bear in Staunton
If you haven’t been to Staunton lately, Maude & The Bear might be the reason to make the trip. Created by Ian and Leslie Boden (of The Shack fame), this boutique restaurant and inn just won Best New Restaurant of 2025.
Located in a beautifully restored 1926 Montgomery Ward kit home
Only open Thursday through Saturday (plus Sunday brunch)
Features two upstairs suites and a charming backyard cottage
Chef Boden’s tasting menus draw from the Shenandoah Valley’s culture and history
It’s an experience, not just a meal—and another example of how Staunton is leveling up its culinary and hospitality game.
📉 What the Local Market Is Doing
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s happening in Central Virginia’s housing markets:
Charlottesville Area
Homes Listed This Week: 44 (down from 60 last week)
Median Sold Price: $495,000
Inventory: 2.4 months
Trend: Days on market are up 7x since the pandemic peak
→ Sellers are getting creative: think closing cost incentives or interest rate buydowns before August 1.
Waynesboro, Staunton & Augusta County
Homes Listed This Week: 47 (flat from last week)
Median Sold Price: $319,000
Inventory: 2.3 months
Trend: Well-priced homes in good shape are going under contract in 3 days.
💡 Some buyers from Charlottesville are now expanding their search into the Valley, where prices resemble C-Ville six years ago.
🏗️ Want to Build on Land? Know the Costs First
If you're thinking about buying land and building, don’t go in blind. A builder I work with created a helpful land cost calculator to estimate what it really takes to build right now.
🖼️ Personal Highlight: Local Art on the Move
Big shoutout to my wife, who just won Charlottesville Area Transit’s bus wrap design contest! Her artwork will be featured on a city bus, bringing some local creativity to our daily commutes. It’s moments like this that make me appreciate the unique and vibrant community we live in.
💬 Thinking of Selling? Let’s Talk Strategy
In today’s market, pricing is everything. If you're wondering what your home is worth—or if you're just starting to think about listing—reach out for a free pricing strategy session.
Follow Along for More Local Real Estate Insights
Each week, I share real estate tips, local discoveries, and market updates to help you stay one step ahead.
📍 Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Staunton
📷 Instagram: @badcatcraig
🎥 YouTube: @badcatcraig
🌐 MassieRealty.com
Let’s explore the region together, one story at a time.
Welcome to this week’s roundup of local real estate updates, market trends, and lifestyle highlights from around Charlottesville, Waynesboro, and Staunton. Whether you're a buyer, seller, or just someone who loves staying in the know about the community, there's something here for you.
🏡 Deal of the Week: 2.29 Acres With a Free House… Kinda
If you’ve been looking for land with flexibility, this is worth a closer look. The property at 6790 Foster Ridge in Charlottesville sits on 2.29 acres and is listed at $229,900. The land alone is close to market value, so it’s like getting the home on it for free.
You’ve got options here:
Renovate the modular home already on site
Start fresh and build something new
Either way, you're working with land that’s already priced competitively. That gives you real leverage on what you want to do next.
🔗 View the Listing
📍 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2.29 Acres
💼 Listed by Heritage Real Estate Co.
⚖️ Zoning Limbo in Charlottesville: What’s Going On?
In an unprecedented legal twist, a judge has voided Charlottesville’s entire zoning code after the city’s attorneys missed a crucial filing deadline. The city had already repealed the old code before passing the new one, and now both are off the books.
So what does that mean?
No active zoning regulations in place right now
Building and fire codes still apply
Developers and property owners are navigating a legal gray area
If you're planning to develop or invest in Charlottesville real estate, keep a close eye on this. It’s a rare and evolving situation.
🍽️ Local Spotlight: Maude & The Bear in Staunton
If you haven’t been to Staunton lately, Maude & The Bear might be the reason to make the trip. Created by Ian and Leslie Boden (of The Shack fame), this boutique restaurant and inn just won Best New Restaurant of 2025.
Located in a beautifully restored 1926 Montgomery Ward kit home
Only open Thursday through Saturday (plus Sunday brunch)
Features two upstairs suites and a charming backyard cottage
Chef Boden’s tasting menus draw from the Shenandoah Valley’s culture and history
It’s an experience, not just a meal—and another example of how Staunton is leveling up its culinary and hospitality game.
📉 What the Local Market Is Doing
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s happening in Central Virginia’s housing markets:
Charlottesville Area
Homes Listed This Week: 44 (down from 60 last week)
Median Sold Price: $495,000
Inventory: 2.4 months
Trend: Days on market are up 7x since the pandemic peak
→ Sellers are getting creative: think closing cost incentives or interest rate buydowns before August 1.
Waynesboro, Staunton & Augusta County
Homes Listed This Week: 47 (flat from last week)
Median Sold Price: $319,000
Inventory: 2.3 months
Trend: Well-priced homes in good shape are going under contract in 3 days.
💡 Some buyers from Charlottesville are now expanding their search into the Valley, where prices resemble C-Ville six years ago.
🏗️ Want to Build on Land? Know the Costs First
If you're thinking about buying land and building, don’t go in blind. A builder I work with created a helpful land cost calculator to estimate what it really takes to build right now.
🖼️ Personal Highlight: Local Art on the Move
Big shoutout to my wife, who just won Charlottesville Area Transit’s bus wrap design contest! Her artwork will be featured on a city bus, bringing some local creativity to our daily commutes. It’s moments like this that make me appreciate the unique and vibrant community we live in.
💬 Thinking of Selling? Let’s Talk Strategy
In today’s market, pricing is everything. If you're wondering what your home is worth—or if you're just starting to think about listing—reach out for a free pricing strategy session.
Follow Along for More Local Real Estate Insights
Each week, I share real estate tips, local discoveries, and market updates to help you stay one step ahead.
📍 Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Staunton
📷 Instagram: @badcatcraig
🎥 YouTube: @badcatcraig
🌐 MassieRealty.com
Let’s explore the region together, one story at a time.
